Well, let me tell you ‘bout that there 2004 US Open Golf. It was somethin’ else, that’s for sure. They held it at this Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, fancy place, ya know, in New York.
Now, this fella, Retief Goosen, from South Africa, he went and won the whole dang thing. Second time he done won it too, that US Open. First time was back in 2001, so he knew what he was doin’. This time, he beat that Phil Mickelson by two strokes. Phil, he’s a good player, always see him on the TV, but Retief, he was just better that week.
- Winner: Retief Goosen (score of 276)
- Where it was played: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Shinnecock Hills, New York
- When it was played: June 17-20, 2004
- First round leader: That fella Jay Haas, he was leadin’ at first
They hadn’t been to Shinnecock Hills for that Open since 1995. Long time, if you ask me. Folks were excited, ya know, big crowds and all. Them fellas playin’ golf, they good, real good. Hit that little ball a country mile. I can barely hit it past the chicken coop, and these guys, they sendin’ it flyin’ like a bird.
Now, the first couple days, them golfers, they were scorin’ real good. Heard tell there was 11 fellas under par after two days! Phil Mickelson and that Shigeki Maruyama, they was leadin’ the pack, six under par. That’s some fancy shootin’, I tell ya. But then, them fellas runnin’ the show, they got a little… well, let’s just say they got a little tricky.
See, the course was playin’ too easy, so they stopped waterin’ the greens. Yep, you heard that right. Just dried ‘em right up. Made it hard as a rock. Them fellas couldn’t keep the ball on the green, scores went sky high. Some folks got mad, said it wasn’t fair. But that’s golf for ya, ain’t it? Tough game, gotta be able to handle anything they throw at ya.
Retief Goosen, he just kept his head down and played his game. Steady as she goes, that’s what he was. Didn’t get too flustered by the hard greens. And when it mattered most, he made the shots he needed to make. That birdie on the 16th hole, that was a big one. Sealed the deal, it did. Poor Phil, he tried, but he just couldn’t catch up. Second place ain’t bad, though. Still a pile of money, I reckon.
So that’s the story of the 2004 US Open. Retief Goosen, he won it. Shinnecock Hills, it was tough. And them fellas runnin’ the show, they made sure it stayed tough. Golf, it ain’t always pretty, but it sure is somethin’ to watch. All them folks walkin’ around in their fancy clothes, followin’ that little ball. Makes ya think, don’t it? Just a game, but it means so much to so many folks. I tell ya, I’d rather be home tendin’ my garden, but watchin’ them boys on the TV ain’t too bad, long as there are some good snacks nearby.
And that’s all I gotta say ‘bout that 2004 US Open. It was a good one, even if them greens were harder than a preacher’s heart. Heard they’re havin’ another one next year, maybe I’ll watch that one too, if my darn TV doesn’t give me more trouble again. You know those things, they never work right when you want ‘em to.
Oh, and one more thing. They said this was the 104th US Open. That’s a whole lotta golf, ain’t it? Makes ya wonder how many golf balls they’ve hit over all them years. Probably enough to fill up my whole barn! Anyways, that’s enough outta me. Go on now, get back to your work. I got chickens to feed.
Anyways, like I said, Retief Goosen won, beat Phil Mickelson by two. Shinnecock Hills, hard greens. That’s the long and short of it. Now go on, get outta here.
