Less Rain Makes For Happier Crowds at the U.S. Open
By Mike DeNardo
ARDMORE, Pa. (CBS) -- It's a cooler but dryer day Friday for the thousands of U.S. Open fans lining the ropes at the Merion Golf Club.
Big crowds are following one particular threesome -- Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott and Tiger Woods.
Tiger's first-round chip from the lip of the bunker fell short of the 17th green, drawing a groan from the fans who follow him from hole to hole.
For Laurie Roberts of Harrisburg, Pa., getting to watch his favorite golfer at Merion is a perfect Father's Day present.
"Every shot seems to be so well thought out," he tells KYW Newsradio. "And crisp. Not the way I play golf! I think we're mostly impressed by Merion Golf Course -- how well it's set up and how well the crowds are being handled. It's my first visit here, so it's a thrill."
Sean Mannion of Devon says it's special watching the best in the world play here at Merion.
"It's amazing," he says. "I used to caddy here as a kid, so to see the best in the world play this course, it's amazing. It's even more amazing to see they're not tearing it up the way you think they might."
Indeed. After the first round, only five of the 156 golfers in the field were under par.
