Latest news with #TorreyPines
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
J.J. Spaun takes a long road of hard work to become US Open champion
OAKMONT, Pa. — J.J. Spaun faced his first big moment on a big stage in golf and he wasn't ready for it. He didn't even have a club in his hand. Spaun was a 26-year-old PGA Tour rookie at Torrey Pines in 2017. He was not eligible for the pro-am and wanted to see the North course when he came across an enormous crowd that could mean only one thing: Tiger Woods.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Everyone Said the Same Thing About Tiger Woods During the 2025 U.S. Open Weather Delay
Everyone Said the Same Thing About Tiger Woods During the 2025 U.S. Open Weather Delay originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The golf world got a shot of adrenaline in the arm on Sunday afternoon during the middle of the final round of the 2025 U.S. Open. Advertisement It had nothing to do with the play at Oakmont Country Club, but rather what NBC decided to air during the weather delay that lasted over an hour in the middle of the round. Smartly, NBC decided to air the final few rounds of the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, which was won in dramatic fashion by Tiger Woods, who defeated Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole playoff. It was a fun break for golf fans, who got to witness some of the most historic shots of Woods' career while taking a break from the treacherous conditions at Oakmont. Tiger Woods tees off on No. 4 during the second round of the Masters on Cairns / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images In a social media phenomenon, fans started live-tweeting the replay as if it were actually happening, with everyone virtually going back in a time machine for a bit and experiencing peak Tiger Woods. Advertisement It left just about everyone with a similar reaction, as seen here by Bill Simmons: "Goddamn I miss watching Tiger Woods in his prime," Simmons said. "People are just waking up from their Fathers' Day couch naps to witness Tiger Woods charging on the TV wondering if they just time-travelled," another fan added. "The U.S Open is gonna get back from rain delay and lose half their viewers to people going to YouTube to finish watching Tiger Woods in 2008," Jon Rich accurately pointed out. "going straight to 13 at Torrey Pines for Tiger Woods' Saturday charge in 2008 is one of the better broadcasting moves i've ever seen," one fan added. Play has since resumed at the 2025 U.S. Open, so we are back to live action after over an hour delay. But there likely aren't many fans who are complaining about how the weather delay was spent. There are few things more enjoyable than watching a prime Tiger Woods play golf. Advertisement Related: Tiger Woods Left Golf World Buzzing During Final Round Weather Delay at 2025 U.S. Open This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Memorable day: Arnold Palmer's final walk at Oakmont crossed over with OJ Simpson's Bronco chase
Arnold Palmer is surrounded by media after his second round at the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. It would be Palmer's last U.S. Open. (Getty Images) OAKMONT, Pa. — Thirty-one years ago, at the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont, Arnold Palmer walked up the 18th fairway, tears in his eyes as he waved to the gallery applauding him. This was Palmer's final hole of his final U.S. Open, and western Pennsylvania was giving its beloved native son the hero's sendoff he deserved. But although virtually no one at Oakmont knew it at the time — cell phones still being decades in the future — another event was unfolding at that exact same moment that would dominate national news for the next two years. The stories of Arnold Palmer and O.J. Simpson, co-stars in a series of ridiculous Hertz commercials, would cross paths one last time. Advertisement June 17, 1994, was a wickedly hot day at Oakmont, and Palmer, under a straw hat, labored his way around the course starting at 8:40 a.m. The surrounding galleries, all deputized into Arnie's Army one last time, applauded every one of his 81 strokes. He was grouped with John Mahaffey and Rocco Mediate, who would gain fame 14 years later at another U.S. Open, the 2008 Torrey Pines masterpiece he lost to Tiger Woods. This would be the record fifth time Palmer played in a U.S. Open at Oakmont, the same course where a young, chubby Jack Nicklaus had broken his heart in a playoff in 1962. Palmer received a special exemption to play in the tournament, a move that didn't sit well with a couple of players who grumbled that Palmer was taking a spot from a more deserving young player. (Those complaints persist to this day, though not over players with Palmer's stature.) Advertisement At the same time as Palmer was teeing off, Simpson was at the home of his attorney Robert Kardashian. (Yes, of the reality-TV Kardashians.) Simpson's ex-wife Nicole and a local waiter, Ronald Goldman, had been brutally murdered outside Nicole Simpson's home just five days before. O.J. Simpson had already been questioned by police, and at some point during the day, Simpson and his attorneys were informed that he would be charged with the murders. Palmer and Simpson both shilled for Hertz in the 1980s, and watching those ads today is a strange experience — there's Simpson, 10 years away from the murders that would upend an entire country, happily goofing around with Palmer, as awkward in front of a camera as he was comfortable in front of galleries: According to confidants — with, perhaps, a little historical revisionism — Palmer and Simpson weren't particularly close. "I think O.J. tolerated Arnold," a Palmer friend told ESPN's Ian O'Connor in 2016. "O.J. had a lot of bluster and arrogance and during filming it was a lot of, 'Arnold, you do it this way and I'll do it that way.' When they were together, Arnold would laugh at O.J. But I don't think they were social friends, and I don't remember them playing golf together." Advertisement Palmer closed out his U.S. Open career with that long walk up 18, and he wasn't the only one crying. His slow walk was evidence of the ravaging effects of time, but his determined stride demonstrated the spirit that had made him a hero to millions and golf's first modern star. 'I suppose the most important thing,' he said, sobbing into a towel, 'is the fact that it has been as good as it has been to me.' A few hours after Palmer's sorrowful departure, Los Angeles police announced that Simpson — who had failed to surrender to authorities — was now a wanted fugitive. Simpson's whereabouts were unknown until he called 911 just before 6 p.m. Pacific Time, riding in the back of a white Ford Bronco driven by his friend Al Cowlings. Simpson was finally apprehended around midnight Eastern Time, setting off one of the most divisive and fascinating trials in American history. Advertisement That day ended up being one of the most memorable cross-sport news days of the 1990s, so much so that an exceptional ESPN 30 for 30 — called, appropriately enough, 'June 17, 1994' — spotlighted the wildly varying events. In addition to Palmer and Simpson, the day featured the New York Rangers' ticker-tape parade, a U.S. World Cup game, a New York Knicks victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, and Ken Griffey Jr.'s 30th home run of the season. Without social media feeding a constant stream of news and updates, many Americans may have missed one, or several, of the big moments. But no golf fan missed Arnie's final walk. And an estimated 95 million Americans caught the Simpson Bronco chase. Palmer changed the trajectory of golf, and Simpson's case changed the trajectory of American culture. For one day in June 1994, they shared that unexpected, final spotlight.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Memorable day: Arnold Palmer's final walk at Oakmont crossed over with OJ Simpson's Bronco chase
Arnold Palmer is surrounded by media after his second round at the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. It would be Palmer's last U.S. Open. (Getty Images) OAKMONT, Pa. — Thirty-one years ago, at the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont, Arnold Palmer walked up the 18th fairway, tears in his eyes as he waved to the gallery applauding him. This was Palmer's final hole of his final U.S. Open, and western Pennsylvania was giving its beloved native son the hero's sendoff he deserved. But although virtually no one at Oakmont knew it at the time — cell phones still being decades in the future — another event was unfolding at that exact same moment that would dominate national news for the next two years. The stories of Arnold Palmer and O.J. Simpson, co-stars in a series of ridiculous Hertz commercials, would cross paths one last time. Advertisement June 17, 1994, was a wickedly hot day at Oakmont, and Palmer, under a straw hat, labored his way around the course starting at 8:40 a.m. The surrounding galleries, all deputized into Arnie's Army one last time, applauded every one of his 81 strokes. He was grouped with John Mahaffey and Rocco Mediate, who would gain fame 14 years later at another U.S. Open, the 2008 Torrey Pines masterpiece he lost to Tiger Woods. This would be the record fifth time Palmer played in a U.S. Open at Oakmont, the same course where a young, chubby Jack Nicklaus had broken his heart in a playoff in 1962. Palmer received a special exemption to play in the tournament, a move that didn't sit well with a couple of players who grumbled that Palmer was taking a spot from a more deserving young player. (Those complaints persist to this day, though not over players with Palmer's stature.) Advertisement At the same time as Palmer was teeing off, Simpson was at the home of his attorney Robert Kardashian. (Yes, of the reality-TV Kardashians.) Simpson's ex-wife Nicole and a local waiter, Ronald Goldman, had been brutally murdered outside Nicole Simpson's home just five days before. O.J. Simpson had already been questioned by police, and at some point during the day, Simpson and his attorneys were informed that he would be charged with the murders. Palmer and Simpson both shilled for Hertz in the 1980s, and watching those ads today is a strange experience — there's Simpson, 10 years away from the murders that would upend an entire country, happily goofing around with Palmer, as awkward in front of a camera as he was comfortable in front of galleries: According to confidants — with, perhaps, a little historical revisionism — Palmer and Simpson weren't particularly close. "I think O.J. tolerated Arnold," a Palmer friend told ESPN's Ian O'Connor in 2016 . "O.J. had a lot of bluster and arrogance and during filming it was a lot of, 'Arnold, you do it this way and I'll do it that way.' When they were together, Arnold would laugh at O.J. But I don't think they were social friends, and I don't remember them playing golf together." Advertisement Palmer closed out his U.S. Open career with that long walk up 18, and he wasn't the only one crying. His slow walk was evidence of the ravaging effects of time, but his determined stride demonstrated the spirit that had made him a hero to millions and golf's first modern star. 'I suppose the most important thing,' he said, sobbing into a towel, 'is the fact that it has been as good as it has been to me.' A few hours after Palmer's sorrowful departure, Los Angeles police announced that Simpson — who had failed to surrender to authorities — was now a wanted fugitive. Simpson's whereabouts were unknown until he called 911 just before 6 p.m. Pacific Time, riding in the back of a white Ford Bronco driven by his friend Al Cowlings. Simpson was finally apprehended around midnight Eastern Time, setting off one of the most divisive and fascinating trials in American history. Advertisement That day ended up being one of the most memorable cross-sport news days of the 1990s, so much so that an exceptional ESPN 30 for 30 — called, appropriately enough, 'June 17, 1994' — spotlighted the wildly varying events. In addition to Palmer and Simpson, the day featured the New York Rangers' ticker-tape parade, a U.S. World Cup game, a New York Knicks victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, and Ken Griffey Jr.'s 30th home run of the season. Without social media feeding a constant stream of news and updates, many Americans may have missed one, or several, of the big moments. But no golf fan missed Arnie's final walk. And an estimated 95 million Americans caught the Simpson Bronco chase. Palmer changed the trajectory of golf, and Simpson's case changed the trajectory of American culture. For one day in June 1994, they shared that unexpected, final spotlight.
Mint
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Scottie Scheffler braces for US Open showdown at Oakmont, says 'I don't pay attention to...'
Scottie Scheffler, ranked number 1 in golf, is set to play the US Open at Oakmont. With his unmatched precision and ability to stay calm under pressure, he is the clear favorite to tackle one of golf's toughest courses. The thrilling game is on the cards, but Scheffler's focus remains sharp. Even though Scheffler will enter the golf course as the favorite to win, he is focused on the game. 'I don't pay attention to the favorite stuff or anything like that,' he said. He also shared why he ditched Venmo: 'That's why I had to get rid of my Venmo because I was either getting paid by people or people requesting me a bunch of money when I didn't win. It wasn't a good feeling.' Oakmont is known as America's toughest golf course with thick rough buries and dangerous bunkers. Bryson DeChambeau described the golf course, 'When you've got those putts inside 10 feet, you've got to make them. It's a great test of golf.' 'Man, it's just tough,' Collin Morikawa said. Scheffler highlighted the bunkers' difficulty, 'Starting Thursday morning, we're at even par and it's up to me to go out there and play against the golf course." Scheffler's first PGA Tour win at the 2022 Phoenix Open sparked a dominant run. He has won 25% of his starts since then. He has amassed 19 worldwide titles in just over three years. His third major, a commanding performance at last month's PGA Championship, saw him win three of his previous four events by 17 shots combined. Scheffler' hasn't won the US Open yet, but he came close at Torrey Pines in 2021, Brookline in 2022, and Los Angeles in 2023. Those near wins make him a great contender. Scottie Scheffler will face tough competition in the US Open. Rory McIlroy, also a top pick after winning the Masters to complete his career Grand Slam, worked hard after a poor Canadian Open. 'At some point, you have to realize that there's a little bit more golf left to play this season,' McIlroy said, focusing on Oakmont's narrow fairways. Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau emphasized accuracy: 'You have to hit the fairways, you have to hit greens, and you have to two-putt, worst-case scenario.' Jordan Spieth, Scheffler's Dallas neighbor, is stunned by his consistency. 'Scottie's level is something I haven't seen personally out here,' he said.
