Golfers set for Bethpage gallery experience

Agence France-Presse

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Situated 48 kilometers up Long Island from Manhattan, the celebrated public course is within easy driving distance for New Yorkers who are famously not backward at being forward.

"It's going to be insane," said Pennsylvania-born Rocco Mediate, who took Tiger Woods to the outer limits at last year's U.S. Open before losing in a playoff. "I love that kind of stuff. A lot of noise. It's going to be nuts. I'll fit right in.

"They say whatever they feel. And they don't care who's listening. That's what it's all about. They're with you are they're against you.

"But I was with Sergio on that ill-fated day the last time and that was not good -- that was bad."

Mediate was referring to the treatment Spanish star Sergio Garcoa received from the fans the last time Bethpage hosted the tournament in 2002 as they roundly barracked him for his fidgety, pre-shot grip routine.



Diplomatic comment

Garcia, keen to avoid unnecessarily antagonizing the natives on his return, was suitably diplomatic about the incident saying he had now cut down on the annoying fluttering hands ritual.

All would be well this time around he insisted.

"I love New York - 2002 was a good experience. I played well. I actually had a decent chance at winning this championship. So I'm looking forward to doing the same," he said.

Forecasts are for 50,000 fans a day to invade the par-70 layout despite the expected rain showers and already the sentimental favorite looks certain to be Phil Mickelson.

Although from California, New Yorkers adopted the left-hander as one of their own as he gave the dominant Woods a run for his money in 2002 and with his wife Amy battling breast cancer he could rival for Woods for gallery size.

Woods in particular remembers the emotion that engulfed the 2002 tournament coming as it did just seven months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on Manhattan.

"I've never played in front of an atmosphere that loud for all 18 holes," said the defending champion. "After what had transpired here in September, I just think that everyone was just looking to celebrating something else.

"That's one of the reasons why people got into the playoffs in baseball and basketball, anything to kind of escape it.

"When they came out here, everyone was so excited to have it out here on their golf course because it seemed like everyone who's played golf in this area has played this golf course. There's something to be said for that.

"And as far as just overall atmosphere, I've never seen anything like it. I don't think we ever will, given circumstances surrounding the event."



First timers

Others though, like rising Californian-star Anthony Kim, will be playing Bethpage for the first time and they approach it with a mixture of eager anticipation and dread. "I know the gallery will be more rowdy than most events," last year's Ryder Cup hero said. "I've heard nothing but good things about if you play well, they'll be on your side and they can sure boo you out there. "Hopefully, I'll be on the right side of that."