Albert's Pool U.S. Open, 2018, Shinnecock Hills Day 1 and 2 I have been busy..... but here are first two rounds Hans and Jack tie for day 1. Sobo wins day 2 with Ikey in second. Ikey leads overall with Hans and Jack close behind. Day 3: Hans and Sobo battled it out for the top honors in Day 3, with Sobo edging Hans by one little old stroke, adding another 24.50 top his winnings, Hans adding 10.50 to his Day 1 split with Jack. I had at least a 13 stroke edge on all others for the day but was still 8 behind Hans for second. So as u might suspect, they are positioned 1-2 (Hans-Sobo) with a BIG 14 stroke over the field. And while Berger and Finau made up 11 strokes on DJ yesterday, will be tougher to pick up strokes against them. Sobo has 5 players going, Hans 6, so one or two terrible rounds will have little or no impact. They race for first, 4 of us (Me, Ikey, Jack and Fox) are looking for third place $$$$. As for the event.... I was there all day yesterday, and what achange from late morning to late afternoon. Berger, Finau and others p;layed while the course was still manageable.... but the warm dry air, bright sun and progressively heavier winds made the course treacherous as the day went on. Did u see the putts by Rose, Koepka and DJ from behind 18 pin? RIDICULOUS! Scott Piercy TWICE putted off a green. Fleetwood putted from a few yards off the green on Par 5 #5.... and was chipping his next from a collection area behind the green. It is hotter and dry/sunny today.... but at least by my home (10 minutes away, and less exposed to the winds than Shinnecock) it is not very breezy. Regardless of how they got there, there are 4 good golfers tied for the lead with two Major winners (Rose and Stenson) right behind, and other Major winners like Furyk and Reed right behind them. And today, they ALL play in the same conditions. I don't see Berger or Finau handling the pressure of the final group, first time contending for a Major, with SIX Major Champions on their heels. Needless to say, I am rooting for Koepka or Reed (Dimpled Balls). I think DJ will re-group. I think his good buddy Koepka will play well alongside him. Don't think Reed can make up 3 strokes on bloth. But if they stumble, watch out for Rose and especially Stenson. He played very well thru tough conditions yesterday. Rose was a little lucky with 5 putts over the first 6 holes, being one under without hitting a green in regulation. U cant do that all the time... Stenson's ball striking was much better and could steal this one on the final day. Hope who visited all traveled well on the way home. GREAT time this week... but I am EXHAUSRED. Two days in a row walking that course, far too many drinks these last 5 nights, and then woke up at 5:15 am to get my friend on a 6:40 am train to Penn Station from Ronkonoma. Time for some R&R. Happy Fathers Day to all, enjoy the final round. A very interesting day all around, both for the real tourney as well as our Pool. Well, first overall was not very interesting.... Hans beat Sobo by 6 on Day 4 and won easily by nine strokes. Sobo could not be caught for second overall, 9 ahead of third place. The interesting stuff was around the Day 4 honors and overall third place. Start with Gabes… with only three golfers, he posted an amazing 283, with Fleetwood's 63 and Fowler's 65. Alas, Snedeker could do no better than 75. And then he was REALLY hosed by Hans' Brendan Steele who carded a big fat 80. That score had no impact on Hans... but it took Gabes out of the money for Day 4. Hans' 280 for the day was good for second overall.... Ikey took top honors with 279. My team finished one stroke back of Hans.... two back of Ikey. I was 2 ahead of Ikey in third overall going into today.... so Ikey and I tie for third. But he collected $35 in Daily $$$$ enroute to his third place finish... I made NOTHING along the way. Could well be the first time in pool history that someone finished top 3 without at least a Daily second place along the way. Just my freaking luck! Worse.... did u see Patrick Reed's finish? Had inside three feet on 18, played beautifully all day.... and gets a vicious lip out. A few groups later, Koepka hits a super conservative putt looking to assure the 2 putt win as opposed to draining a makeable par putt. Smart play, for sure... but those two strokes cost me a tie for first today. And either of those putts give me third alone. And that's why they call me Mr. Loser! On the bright side.... for me anyway.... I am two legs in to the Grand Slam of Majors Skins. Reed, of course, taking Augusta and now Koepka winning the Open. 29 years since back to back US Open winners.... very impressive stuff. Gotta feel for Fleetwood... had a real chance at a record 62, and that might have been good enough for a playoff (Koepka obviously would have played 18 differently with a 1 stroke lead instead of two... at least would have taken a better run at the par putt). But I thought that the pressure on Koepka was pretty intense over the back nine, knowing that the +2 was posted and in the Clubhouse. Much easier, I think, to play from one ahead in a US Open if ur competitor is on the course, and he can give strokes back. Having to play the last 9 holes or so knowing that u have virtually ZERO margin of error.... and pulling it off.... was very impressive. The wedge and birdie on 16 was critical to give him some breathing room. And as good as he was.... that approach on 18 was HORRENDOUS. But a very gutsy lofted club chip o easy two putt range was impressive. The young (or still early in their prime) talent on Tour these days is damn impressive. DJ... Koepka... Spieth... Thomas... McIroy… Reed... Matsuyama, etc.. Anyone thinking that Woods has another shot at a Major is dreaming. These guys and others are really good Hope all enjoyed the reports from Shinnecock... or actually visiting Shinnecock and Hampton Bays.... along with the Pool. So fun to see the action on Sunday after spending a few days at the course. And hope all had a great Father's Day. I was blessed to visit with both my Dad and Father in Law at my sister's house with just about the whole family on a glorious weather day. The tournament was secondary.... Al Ranked by Score 1 Hans 364 358 284 280 1286 Winners Hans Jack Sobo Ikey Al 2 Sobo 375 351 283 286 1295 Day 1 17.50 17.50 3 Ikey 368 352 305 279 1304 Day 2 24.50 10.50 4 Albert 374 357 292 281 1304 Day 3 10.50 24.50 5 Fox 371 353 304 283 1311 Day 4 10.50 24.50 6 Jack 364 358 305 286 1313 Final 126.00 52.50 15.75 15.75 7 Gabes 377 355 318 283 1333 Total 164.50 17.50 101.50 50.75 15.75 0.00 8 Andy 369 364 308 293 1334 9 Mags 372 366 322 313 1373 Babs- As much as I like the results, the payouts are $35 higher than the total bets wagered. Sobo Doh! A pool of $350 is based on a 10 man pool, which we had back in the days when Willo was still with us. My bad. Gary, as opposed to me re-working, all u need to do is discount each winners payout by 10% when u post to ur ledger. OK? All winners: U won 10% less than I had in my sheet. Gary is NOT skimming, he is fixing my error. :-) Al