Course knowledge doesn't help Bradley
Keegan Bradley tees off on the 15th green at the second round of The Barclays at Bethpage Black. (Aug. 24, 2012) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Local knowledge is not everything. Keegan Bradley, who played Bethpage Black regularly when he was at St. John's and considers it his favorite course, missed the cut. He needed a birdie on the final hole, but his downhill putt slid by. He finished with a 2-over-par 73 Friday and was 2 over for the two days.
Fans can't help Zach
Zach Johnson never did find his ball on the par-3 8th hole Friday, despite plenty of help. Johnson hit his ball into tall, thick grass on the steep hill right of the green, where spectators are not allowed. Fans on the opposite side and behind the green did watch and tried to direct Johnson by shouting at him, playing partners Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, caddies, marshals and state troopers.
Among things yelled: "Further back, Zach! . . . Left, left, left . . . By the trooper! . . . Hot, hot . . . Cold!"
One fan, Steve Rollino, 22, a caddie at Huntington Country Club, was allowed inside the ropes to help look. Unsuccessful, Rollino was booed on his way back, but not before he said to Woods, whose ball was on the green, "Nice shot Tiger." He said that Woods replied, "Thanks, bud."
Johnson tripled the hole and The Barclays had its first Only at Bethpage moment.
Okposo tweets for PGA
Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo was a guest tweeter for the PGA Tour's Twitter account. He followed the McIlroy-Woods-Johnson group and wrote that the atmosphere was like an Islanders-Rangers game. Okposo said he has played a good amount of golf at home in Minnesota this summer and has reduced his handicap to 2. He used to play with his buddy Zach Parise, new star of the Wild, but said, "He doesn't play golf any more." Teammate Matt Moulson will be tweeting Saturday.
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