Bethpage greens a speed bump
Graeme McDowell went completely off his greens in the final round of the US Open at Bethpage Black - and he wasn't the only one.
Poor drainage at the Long Island course meant that the greens dried out at different rates, leading to varying speeds.
The Ulsterman did not want to criticise the maintenance staff in any way and praised them to the heavens for getting the course ready for play after days of heavy rain.
But it is clear that the pace of the putting surfaces was a major issue for him and others.
"I don’t want to criticise the set up of the golf course but I struggled on the greens the last two or three days," said McDowell who finished tied 18th after taking 35 putts in the final round. "The green speeds were very indifferent. You get on one green and it is absolutely flying and you get on the next green and it is slow.
US Open - Rory gets young guns as Padraig draws Tiger-Angel
US Open organisers have confirmed that Padraig Harrington will tee it up with Tiger Woods and Masters champion Angel Cabrera at Bethpage Black.
The Dubliner will get the Irish challenge underway from the first tee next Thursday at 13:06 Irish time and the second round from the 10th at 18:36.
Graeme McDowell is the next to go at 12:33 from the 10th with former Open champion Ben Curtis and Texan Chad Campbell
Rory McIlroy has been drawn with American young guns Anthony Kim and Dustin Johnson for the first two days (18:14/12:44).
Darren Clarke will make his return to major championship action alongside former world No 1 David Duval and ex US PGA champion David Toms.