Mark Craig's forward spin: Bad weather? Count on Leonard

Last update: June 19, 2009 - 12:12 AM

MARK CRAIG'S FORWARD SPIN

Bad weather? Count on Leonard

If the weather turns ugly during the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine in two months -- as it did for the third round of the 2002 PGA Championship -- Justin Leonard becomes a contender. He showed that ability again Thursday as sheets of rain forced the first round of the U.S. Open to be delayed until this morning.

Leonard is even par through seven holes and has a 4-foot birdie putt on the 210-yard, par 3 eighth hole when play resumes this morning.

He shot a 69 under brutal conditions during the third round of the 2002 PGA Championship. It beat the field average by 6.83 shots and was the only sub-70 score shot on a day that included wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour. "I enjoy playing in difficult conditions," Leonard said.

Unfortunately, a day later, in good weather, Leonard lost his three-shot lead and the tournament to Rich Beem.

BIRDIE

Knowing the players were in for a wet, rainy day, Mike Davis, the United States Golf Association's director of rules and competitions, moved the tees up on seven holes. He shortened the record 525-yard, par 4 seventh to 489 yards and the 508-yard, par 4 10th hole from 508 to 478 yards.

Davis' predecessor, Tom Meeks, refused to move the tees up during a soggy, cold second round in 2002.

BOGEY

Padraig Harrington's new swing. Yeah, it might pay off in the long run, like Tiger Woods' did after he won the 1997 Masters by 12 shots. But, right now, the only thing that comes to mind with Harrington is, "Why in the world would a guy change his swing after winning the last two majors in 2008?!"

Harrington is 4 over through six holes.

DID YOU KNOW?

The U.S. Open is the only one of the four majors that Woods has not successfully defended. Since Curtis Strange successfully defended his title in 1989, no champion of the previous year has finished in the top 10. That includes Woods twice. He tied for 12th in 2001 and tied for 20th in 2003.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Where's my canoe?"

-- Ian Poulter on his Twitter feed during the rain delay.

Recent Golf stories

PGA Championship -- a look at the top players - June 19, 2009

PGA Championship -- a look at the top players - A look at 20 of the top players who will be teeing it up at Hazeltine National this week. More