The OTHER Black Guy at The U.S. Open

I, for one, have slept on the fact that there may actually be another person of the "negro" persuasion besides Tiger Woods who has the glimmer of a chance to win this year's U.S. Open.
Until three days ago when he gave Woods a respectable 9-hole workout at Bethpage Black, who knew anything about James Kamte?



In remote circles, Kamte (26) is known as "The Cobra", and he's reported to be the first true South African to represent at a major in 20 years. (Ernie Els and Gary "The Black Knight" Player don't count.)
Kamte doesn't have a glorious resume: just a handful of wins on the South African and Asian Tours. He qualified to play at Bethpage Black at the Sectionals in Columbus, Ohio.
What a way to encounter the pinnacle of American golf? And what better way for America's golf enthusiasts to discover him?

Caution, Tiger: The British Is Coming!

As much as Fore!BlackGolfers anticipates watching Tiger Woods compete in next week’s U.S. Open at Bethpage Black, we can’t help but relish the drama set to ensue a month later, on the Ailsa Course at Turnberry, England, even more.
Winning a 15th Major tournament (and a fourth U.S. Open) should solidify in any analyst’s mind that Woods is fully “back” from his season-ending knee surgery in 2008.
But , win or lose at the 2009 U.S. Open, Tiger is certain to attract even more attention at the British Open (July 16-19) because its greater potential to sway golf history.
If Tiger wins this year at Bethpage Black, the golf world will hum relentlessly about how much closer he is to snapping Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major victories. And if he loses the U.S. Open, he'll have only two more chances in 2009 to win at least one more Major to his list of accomplishments.
And there’s no guarantee that Woods’ surgically repaired knee will hold up long enough for him to play at full throttle during the August 13-16 PGA Championship (which he’s won twice) at Hazeltine.
So, go ahead and enjoy viewing what unfolds at Bethpage Black as much as we will. Still, give some forethought to how much historical significance this year’s British Open may hold.
COMING NEXT...Reasons why the new British Open course will cause Woods problems
Photo: flickr/richard carter

Tiger At Bethpage Black: A Sucker's Bet?

Five bucks will get you two if you bet on the latest, repeat Memorial Tournament champion, Tiger Woods, to win the 2009 U.S. Open.
Those are the odds in Woods' favor of winning according to VegasInsider.com. If you're a gambler, you can take Tiger or the field at 5-to-2, or take a flying leap on Phil Mickelson, who was a 7-to-1 underdog to win at the storied New York public course, Bethpage Black.

The oddsmakers give Padraig Harrington, Geoff Ogilvy and Jim Furyk equally distant chances (15-1) of winning the U.S. Open. As for the rest of the players? Major longshots.

In your mind, does Mickelson have a chance of giving Woods a run for the money? Who do you suppose will melt down first in this, the second opportunity of the year to snag a Major tournament win?