How did Stricker shoot 63 on a day when the field averaged nearly 10 strokes higher? For one thing, he missed a 12-footer for 62. For another, he somehow played the deadly stretch of holes 15 through 18 in two-under par. The result was the 25th 63 in major championship history, giving Stricker another chance to break through with his first major win. "In the modern game, he's the one we should all be trying to copy," Stewart Cink said of Stricker. If that means we can all shoot 63, then, well, sure.
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Birdie: Steve Williams
A week after "his" big win at Firestone, the brusque caddie was back in contention after the first round. The guy he was handing the clubs to fared OK as well. Adam Scott shot 69.
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Bogey: Tiger Woods
It all began so promising, too. Three under through his first five holes, Woods appeared to have regained some of his old swagger Thursday morning. But a tee shot in the water on No. 15 sent him wobbling, and he never recovered. In playing his next 13 holes in 10 over, Woods shot 77, and now he'll need a remarakable turnaround to even play the weekend. Woods will surely consult with Sean Foley. It's too bad Sigmund Freud isn't available as well.
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Birdie: Rory McIlroy
The U.S. Open champion seemed on his way to withdrawing after injuring his wrist on the third hole. Instead, he taped up his wrist, then winced and gritted his way to an opening 70, proving the young Ulsterman has some grit to go with his graceful swing. Get that kid a hockey stick!
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Bogey: Rory McIlroy
As impressive as his Thursday performance was, one wonders what kind of toll it might take on the rest of his tournament, or even his year. Wrist injuries in golf aren't to be taken lightly, so here's hoping McIlroy's decision to play on doesn't end up being one he regrets.
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Birdie: Bottled water makers
Not everyone is lamenting the PGA's decision hold the season's final major in steamy Atlanta. Just like at Tulsa in 2007, they'll go through water here like it's well, water. In at least some eyes, the more miserable here, the better.
Bogey: Fred Couples
The U.S. President's Cup captain must have thought he'd have it easy when he signed on for this year's matches in Australia. Tiger Woods was unbeatable last time around, and the U.S. went on to win big. But after already saying Woods would have a spot on the team if healthy, Couples has boxed himself into a corner by committing to a player who appears to be a mess.
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Bogey: Ryo Ishikawa
A week ago he flirted with his first win in the U.S., but on Thursday, Ishikawa plunked six balls in the water en route to an eye-popping, what-am-I-doing-out-here 85. "Every bad shot, water," Ishikawa said. Yes, we sort of noticed.
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Birdie: Johnny Miller
As long as 63 remains the gold standard in major championship golf, it will be Miller's closing round in the '73 Open at Oakmont that will be ranked above them all. A 62 on a very demanding Highlands Course here might have changed that. But when Steve Stricker's closing birdie putt slid past the hole, Miller had dodged another bullet.
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Bogey: Jerry Pate
The winner of the 1976 U.S. Open at Atlanta Athletic Club asked the PGA of America for a special exemption so he could make his "farewell to golf" in his home state. His opening 77 might have equaled Tiger Woods, but it still confirmed that his spot in the field, which could have been given to someone who could actually compete, was a waste.
