The Bum's Sports Page For Saturday June 20th Best Bets-Trends-News !

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WNBA 06/20/2015


7:05 PM EDT

651 WASHINGTON MYSTICS 149 149 / 148 147.5 -105
652 INDIANA FEVER -1 -1.5 / -1.5 -05 / -1 PK -115

8:05 PM EDT

653 CHICAGO SKY -3.5 -3.5 / -4 / -4.5 -15 -4 -180
654 SA STARS 156 156 / 156u11 / 156 155.5 +155

CHI-C-Sylvia Fowles-OUT | TV: NBA, DTV: 216

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WNBA Basketball Trend Report

WASHINGTON (3 - 2) at INDIANA (3 - 4) - 6/20/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 261-320 ATS (-91.0 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 164-206 ATS (-62.6 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 18-34 ATS (-19.4 Units) in road games when playing on back-to-back days since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 165-210 ATS (-66.0 Units) vs. division opponents since 1997.
INDIANA is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 5-4 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 6-4 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


CHICAGO (2 - 3) at SAN ANTONIO (0 - 5) - 6/20/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 2-14 ATS (-13.4 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 2-14 ATS (-13.4 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 4-0 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 3-1 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores

4:05 PM EDT

951 PITTSBURGH PIRATES (L) Liriano, F 6.5o20 6.5o20 / 6.5o25 / 6.5o20 6.5u14 +1.5(-200)
952 WASHINGTON NATIONALS (R) Scherzer, M -140 -135 / -130 / -128 -127 -1.5(+170)

WAS-LF-Bryce Harper-? | TV: MASN2, MLB, ROOT-Pittsburgh, DTV: 213, 641, 659 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, 40% CHANCE SHOWER/STORMS. WIND OUT TO LEFT 5-10. GAME TEMP 86, RH 58% HEAT INDEX 91

7:10 PM EDT

953 NEW YORK METS (R) Syndergaard, N -126 -112 / -111 / -109 -107 -1.5(+145)
954 ATLANTA BRAVES (R) Perez, W 7.5o15 7.5u20 / 7.5u25 / 7o15 7u15 +1.5(-165)

Time-change to 07:10pm EDT | TV: FS-South, DTV: 646 | PARTLY CLOUDY, 40% CHANCE THUNDERSTORMS EARLY. WIND OUT TO RIGHT 8-13. GAME TEMP 86, RH 60% HEAT INDEX 92

7:10 PM EDT

955 MIAMI MARLINS (R) Koehler, T 9u15 8.5 / 8.5u15 / 8.5u14 8.5u15 +1.5(-190)
956 CINCINNATI REDS (R) Desclafani, A -130 -130 / -125 -127 -1.5(+160)

Time-change to 07:10pm EDT | TV: FS-Florida, FS-Ohio, DTV: 654, 661 | PARTLY CLOUDY, WIND OUT TO CENTER 5-10. GAME TEMP 79, RH 71% HEAT INDEX 82

4:10 PM EDT

957 MILWAUKEE BREWERS (R) Lohse, K 10.5o25 10.5o25 10.5o20 +1.5(-170)
958 COLORADO ROCKIES (R) Bettis, C -135 -126 / -122 / -123 -128 -1.5(+150)

MIL-CF-Carlos Gomez-? | TV: MLB, ROOT-Rocky Mountain, DTV: 213, 683 | MOSTLY SUNNY, WIND RIGHT TO LEFT 6-11. GAME TEMP 87, RH 26% HEAT INDEX 84

7:05 PM EDT

959 ST LOUIS CARDINALS (R) Lackey, J -185 -190 / -180 / -178 -172 -1.5(-105)
960 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (R) Harang, A 7.5u20 7.5u20 / 7.5u21 7.5u25 +1.5(-115)

STL-LF-Matt Holliday-OUT | TV: FS-Midwest, DTV: 671 | CLOUDY, 70% CHANCE SHOWER/STORMS. WIND RIGHT TO LEFT 5-10. GAME TEMP 77, RH 76% HEAT INDEX 80

7:15 PM EDT

961 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (R) Hudson, T 7.5 7.5 / 7.5u25 7.5u20 +1.5(-160)
962 LOS ANGELES DODGERS (R) Frias, C -145 -154 / -160 / -155 -150 -1.5(+140)

TV: CSN-Bay, MLB, DTV: 213, 696 | SUNNY, WIND OUT TO LEFT 5-10. GAME TEMP 91, RH 26% HEAT INDEX 89

10:10 PM EDT

963 SAN DIEGO PADRES (R) Ross, T 8.5u15 -105 / -101 / -105 -106 -1.5(+150)
964 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (L) Ray, R -125 8.5u20 / 8.5u21 / 8.5u25 8u15 +1.5(-170)

TV: FS-Arizona, FS-San Diego, MLB, DTV: 213, 686, 694 | CLEAR, WIND LEFT TO RIGHT 6-11. GAME TEMP 107, RH 8% WIND CHILL 0 (CHASE FIELD ROOF MAY CLOSE IN HOT WEATHER)

1:05 PM EDT

965 BALTIMORE ORIOLES (R) Gausman, K 9u15 9u15 / 9u25 8.5o15 +1.5(-200)
966 TORONTO BLUE JAYS (L) Buehrle, M -140 -125 / -123 / -121 -115 -1.5(+170)

TV: MASN, MLB, DTV: 213, 640 | MOSTLY SUNNY, WIND OUT TO LEFT 5-10. GAME TEMP 68, RH 50%

2:10 PM EDT

967 TEXAS RANGERS (R) Martinez, N 8.5 8.5u21 / 8.5u20 / 8.5o15 8.5o20 +1.5(-190)
968 CHICAGO WHITE SOX (L) Rodon, C -125 -131 / -132 / -130 -132 -1.5(+160)

TEX-3B-Adrian Beltre-OUT | TV: CSN-Chicago, FS-Southwest, DTV: 665, 676 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, WIND IN FROM RIGHT 6-11. GAME TEMP 78, RH 59% HEAT INDEX 80

4:05 PM EDT

969 LOS ANGELES ANGELS (R) Weaver, J 7.5 7.5o15 / 7.5u15 / 7.5 8 +1.5(-190)
970 OAKLAND ATHLETICS (R) Hahn, J -130 -135 / -132 / -131 -129 -1.5(+160)

TV: CSN-California, FS-West, DTV: 692, 698 | MOSTLY SUNNY, WIND OUT TO RIGHT 11-16. GAME TEMP 68, RH 56%

7:10 PM EDT

971 TAMPA BAY RAYS (R) Ramirez, E 7o20 7o20 / 7u15 / 7 7o15 +1.5(-140)
972 CLEVELAND INDIANS (R) Kluber, C -175 -185 / -180 / -178 -185 -1.5(+120)

TV: SportsTime Ohio, SunSports, DTV: 653, 662 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, WIND OUT TO LEFT 5-10. GAME TEMP 77, RH 66% HEAT INDEX 80

7:10 PM EDT

973 BOSTON RED SOX (R) Porcello, R 8o15 8o15 / 8u15 / 8u14 8u15 +1.5(-200)
974 KANSAS CITY ROYALS (R) Volquez, E -140 -124 / -122 / -120 -121 -1.5(+170)

Time-change to 07:10pm EDT | TV: FS-Kansas City, NESN, DTV: 628, 672 | MOSTLY SUNNY, WIND OUT TO LEFT CENTER 12-17. GAME TEMP 90, RH 51% HEAT INDEX 96

7:15 PM EDT

975 DETROIT TIGERS (R) Simon, A 8.5u15 8.5 / 8.5u15 / 8.5u16 8.5u15 +1.5(-190)
976 NEW YORK YANKEES (R) Eovaldi, N -120 -123 / -121 / -119 -120 -1.5(+160)

TV: FOX, FS-Detroit, DTV: 663 | CLOUDY, 70% CHANCE SHOWER/STORMS. WIND RIGHT TO LEFT 8-13. GAME TEMP 71, RH 78% HEAT INDEX 74

10:10 PM EDT

977 HOUSTON ASTROS (L) Keuchel, D -135 -125 / -124 / -117 -118 -1.5(+145)
978 SEATTLE MARINERS (R) Walker, T 6.5o20 6.5o20 / 6.5o25 / 6.5o26 6.5o25 +1.5(-165)

TV: MLB, ROOT-Southwest, DTV: 213, 674 | MOSTLY FAIR, WIND IN FROM LEFT 6-11. GAME TEMP 71, RH 39%

2:10 PM EDT

979 CHICAGO CUBS (L) Lester, J -130 -110 / -113 / -112 -110 -1.5(+150)
980 MINNESOTA TWINS (R) May, T 8.5u20 8.5u22 / 8.5u25 / 8.5u20 8o15 +1.5(-170)

TV: FS-North, DTV: 668 | PARTLY SUNNY, WIND OUT TO LEFT 6-11. GAME TEMP 77, RH 64% HEAT INDEX 79

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MLB GRAND SLAMS TOOK A BIG HIT YESTERDAY GOING 1 - 5 ...DOUBLE PLAYS IS GETTING BACK AND OVER THE 500 MARK GOING 6 - 2....WNBA SLAM DUNKS GO 2 - 0 LOOKING FOR BETTER ITS ONLY WEEK 3 THERE.... GOOD LUCK ALL !!


WNBA JUNE RECORD:

*****...............................2 - 4 - 1
DOUBLE PLAY....................6 - 7
TRIPLE PLAY......................0 - 1
SLAM DUNK.......................3 - 2

MLB RECORD FOR JUNE:

*****.............................26 - 20 - 1 .........................+ 3.21
double play......................47 - 54 ...............................- 18.67
triple play........................13 - 12 .............................+ 9.11
grand slam......................25 - 30...............................- 22.01

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SATURDAY, JUNE 20

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Baltimore - 1:07 PM ET Baltimore +104 500 *****
Toronto - Over 8.5 500

Texas - 2:10 PM ET Chi. White Sox -130 500 *****
Chi. White Sox - Under 8.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Chi. Cubs - 2:10 PM ET Minnesota +102 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Minnesota - Under 8.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

LA Angels - 4:05 PM ET Oakland -129 500 *****
Oakland - Over 7.5 500 GRAND SLAM

Pittsburgh - 4:05 PM ET Pittsburgh +115 500 GRAND SLAM
Washington - Over 6.5 500

Milwaukee - 4:10 PM ET Milwaukee +110 500 *****
Colorado - Over 10.5 500 *****

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Spieth, Reed share US Open lead at CBay

June 20, 2015

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. (AP) - Masters champion Jordan Spieth is halfway home from the second leg of the Grand Slam.

It sure feels a lot farther away in this U.S. Open.

Spieth overcame a double bogey on the par-4 18th hole that he called ''the dumbest hole'' he has played, and a scary moment when Jason Day collapsed to the ground Friday on their final hole at the par-3 ninth from what was later diagnosed as vertigo. Spieth managed to make his birdie for a 3-under 67, giving him a share of the lead with Ryder Cup partner Patrick Reed going into what figures to be a long weekend.

The competition is plenty fierce. The real challenge might be Chambers Bay, from the wobbly roll on the greens to how the USGA presents its toughest test.

Henrik Stenson said it was like putting on broccoli. Reed was so furious after his closing bogey - he made only two pars over the final 12 holes - that he called it ''Mickey Mouse golf'' on the 18th green.

''But we're in a good position,'' Reed said after a 69, ''and we hopefully can have a good weekend and have a chance to win.''

Spieth and Reed were at 5-under 135, one shot ahead of Branden Grace of South Africa (67) and Dustin Johnson, who had the lead for most of the afternoon until he closed with three bogeys on his last five holes for a 71.

Tiger Woods won't be around to watch it unfold. He shot 76 and posted the highest 36-hole score (156) of his pro career.

Spieth can lean on his experience as a Masters champion, but this major is nothing like Augusta National. For starters, he had a five-shot lead going into the weekend at the Masters. And he is on a golf course where the greens are getting plenty of attention for being bumpy and difficult to make putts.

''It's playing different,'' Spieth said. ''And I'm in a very different position. I'm not going to have a five-shot lead. So given it's a U.S. Open, I imagine they're going to try to bring us back to par. ... So I'll draw some on Augusta, but at the same time, my patience level has to be even that much higher.''

Day was two shots out of the lead when the Australian crashed to the ground as he headed to the green. Spieth rushed to his side, shooing away photographers as Day sprawled on the ground. Helped to his feet, Day managed to finish the hole with a bogey and a 70 and still was three behind. He was treated at the course, and his agent said he was resting comfortably and hoped to play on Saturday.

Sixteen players remained under par. Spieth is the only one with experience winning a major.

And it's clear he's not just satisfied with one.

Not since Woods in 2002 has anyone won the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year. Spieth still has a long way to go, and he realizes it will only get harder on a course that already is perplexing - and to some, aggravating.

Reed has heard about the adage that par is always a good score at the U.S. Open. He opted for three birdies, an eagle and five bogeys over the final three hours, at times going from the lead to trailing but always in the mix. He looked as if he would take the 36-hole lead into the weekend when his tee shot on No. 18 stopped just short of a bunker, and his 7-iron found the middle of the green. The pin was in a valley, however, and from 50 feet away, Reed could get no closer than 20 feet. He three-putted for bogey.

''I hit the ball in the middle of the green on 18 and have no chance to putt a normal putt and stop near the hole, and have to play Mickey Mouse golf to try to make par,'' Reed said. ''Unfortunately, a bad way to end the day.''

Reed knows what to expect from Spieth - they were 2-0-1 in their partnership as rookies in the Ryder Cup. He's not worried about anything but Chambers Bay.

''That's how it is at every U.S. Open,'' he said. ''It seems like until 72nd hole is done, it's anybody's game.''

Tony Finau, the powerful PGA Tour rookie making his major championship debut, let it rip on his way to a 68. He was in the group at 3-under 137 that included Joost Luiten of The Netherlands (69), Daniel Summerhays (67) and Ben Martin (70).

Rory McIlroy, the world's No. 1 player, four-putted on No. 17 and closed with a bogey for another 72 that put him nine shots behind. Phil Mickelson shot a 74 and said he struggled with the surface area around the holes. He was eight shots behind.

Woods, again, was never in the picture - not the tournament, not on television. Fox rarely showed him, except for a few shots, including the opening hole when Woods was so far left up a dune that he slipped and fell while trying to size up the shot. He missed the cut for the second time in the last three majors.

''Obviously, I need to get a little better for the British Open, and I'll keep working at it,'' Woods said.

The 18th hole was a par 5 on Thursday, and a par 4 on Friday with the tees moved forward. Spieth wasn't sure where to go, found a bunker and caught the lip trying to get out. ''This is the dumbest hole I've ever played in my life,'' he said after climbing out of the bunker on his way to double bogey.

His caddie, Michael Greller, helped to calm him down.

''I was really frustrated walking off the tee box, and Michael did a great job coming in and telling me, `Sit back, you're still very much in this tournament, don't let this get to you,''' Spieth said.

That might be good advice for the next 36 holes.

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Kaymer, Fowler are both headed home

June 19, 2015

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. (AP) - Martin Kaymer was in trouble when he arrived at the 10th hole during the second round of the U.S. Open. Then the situation got much worse for the defending champion.

From the middle of the fairway, Kaymer missed his second shot badly to the right, leading to a triple bogey.

Kaymer, who finished at 6 over, was among a handful of big names to miss the cut on Friday. Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler - two potential favorites before the week began - were out of the tournament after Watson finished at 7 over and Fowler at 14 over.

And Tiger Woods was gone as well after forgettable rounds of 80 and 76 and a tie for 150th overall.

''On a golf course like this you get exposed and you have to be precise and dialed in,'' Woods said. ''And obviously I didn't have that.''

Another 15 players had their fate resting on Nick Hardy, one of six amateurs to make the cut, the most in 49 years.

Hardy was in the last group on the course and at 4 over heading to his final hole. A par would keep the cut line at 4 over. A bogey would get the additional 15 to the weekend.

Hardy made bogey, moving the cut line to 5 over and giving Jimmie Walker, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Angel Cabrera, Webb Simpson and Colin Montgomerie passage to the third round.

Others were not so lucky. Among the other big names headed home: Hunter Mahan, Graeme McDowell, Miguel Angel Jimenez and local favorites Ryan Moore and Michael Putnam.

Moore and Putnam were hoping to give hometown fans a thrill in the first U.S. Open played in the Pacific Northwest.

''It's obviously great to have it here. I'm disappointed with how I played,'' Moore said. ''I would be lying if I said I felt great coming into this week. I tried getting out there, getting a lot of time on the golf course, getting comfortable with it. This course does not set up all that well for me.''

The six amateurs to make the cut were the most since 1966. Brian Campbell, nearly the last one on the course during Thursday's first round when he shot 67, led the pack at 1 under through 36 holes after a 72 in the second round.

By the end of the day, Campbell was on the first page of the leaderboard and tied for 12th. At one point early Friday, Campbell's name was among those at the top of the leaderboard when he got to 5 under.

''I walked underneath the big leaderboard and I saw my name up there, so that was pretty cool to at least have that today,'' Campbell said. ''I definitely want a little more of that.''

Jack Maguire, who just finished his sophomore season at Florida State, had one of the 18 under-par rounds on Friday with a 68 and sits at 1 over.

The other amateurs sticking around for the weekend: Hardy, Ollie Schniederjans, Beau Hossler and Denny McCarthy. For Hossler, at age 20, it's his second time making the cut.

''Obviously it's nice making it here, but I'm trying to contend. That's the goal,'' Hossler said. ''Obviously I've proven to myself that I can qualify for the event, but I think it's time I start making a move toward the lead a little bit.''

While the amateurs could enjoy their success, the professionals were left dazed. Fowler wasn't much better than Woods, following his 81 in the first round with a 73.

They weren't alone in posting big numbers. There were 10 rounds in the 80s on Friday.

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Reed takes shots at Open course setup

June 19, 2015

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. (AP) - The latest from the U.S. Open (all times local):

8:45 p.m.

Henrik Stenson criticized the conditions at the U.S. Open but not the course setup.

He left that for Patrick Reed.

The co-leader of the U.S. Open called the hole location at the 18th on Friday a ''Mickey Mouse location'' in part because of its position in the extreme front left, and in part because it came at the end of a 525-yard par-4 that played at a 604-yard par-5 the previous day.

He wasn't the only one unhappy. Masters champion Jordan Spieth, who is tied with Reed at 5 under, said it was ''the dumbest he has ever played'' after a double bogey there.

---

8:30 p.m.

Henrik Stenson lashed out at the condition of Chambers Bay after struggling on the hard, fast and bumpy greens to a 4-over 74 in the second round of the U.S. Open.

The Swede compared putting on the greens to ''putting on broccoli'' or ''the surface of the moon.'' He might have gone on, but said: ''If you speak your mind, you're going to get fined. It's just a matter of how much you're going to get fined, so I'd better leave it at that.''

Stenson said he doesn't think the USGA lost the course or blame the setup. He was merely irritated by Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s lumpy design and its condition.

---

8:10 p.m.

Masters champion Jordan Spieth will be in the final group on the weekend at the U.S. Open.

Trying to become the first player to win the first two legs of the Grand Slam since Tiger Woods, Spieth navigated Chambers Bay on Friday to a 3-under 67. He is 5 under for the championship, tied with Patrick Reed and a shot ahead of Branden Grace and Dustin Johnson.

Johnson was the first-round co-leader and had it to 7 under at one point, but he made bogey on three of his last five holes to shoot 71. Grace shot 67.

Johnson said the big difference between his first and second rounds was his putting. ''When I got into trouble,'' he said, ''I hit good shots and got myself out. Just didn't hole the putts.''

---

7:55 p.m.

Phil Mickelson isn't counting himself out of the U.S. Open just yet.

After following an opening 1-under 69 with a round of 74 on Friday, the six-time runner-up was eight shots back of the leaders. But that also means Mickelson will go out early on Saturday, when conditions are ripe for scoring, well before the leaders.

Trying to complete the career Grand Slam, Mickelson anticipated needing a round in the mid-60s on Saturday to climb into contention.

He struggled on the greens Friday, and said after his round: ''It's a U.S. Open. It happens. Everyone has to go through a tough spell. I got through mine - well, hopefully my only one, but that's unlikely.''

---

7:45 p.m.

Some big names struggled toward the finish on Day 2 of the U.S. Open.

First-round co-leader Dustin Johnson got to 7 under for a while, but bogeys at Nos. 14, 17 and 18 dropped him two shots behind leader Patrick Reed.

Playing in the same group, Adam Scott also had a bogey at the par-3 17th.

Rory McIlroy would have taken a bogey there. Playing in the next group, McIlroy hit his approach shot over the green. His putt from the fairway swale rolled nearly off the front, then his next putt coasted 8 feet past. He missed that for a double bogey.

McIlroy had been 1 under on the day and climbing into contention.

---

6:55 p.m.

After succumbing to a bout of dizziness, Jason Day said in a statement issued by his agent that he hopes to play this weekend at the U.S. Open.

Day was on the par-3 ninth, his final hole, when he toppled over. He managed to finish out the hole and sign his scorecard, and then was taken for medical examination. He was diagnosed with a case of vertigo, an issue that Day has dealt with in the past.

Day is in contention at 2 under for the championship.

''His condition is being monitored closely and he is hopeful he will be able to compete this weekend in the final rounds of the U.S. Open,'' his agent Bud Martin said. ''He wants to thank all who treated him at the Franciscan Medical Group and thank all of the fans and friends who have reached out to he and his family.''

---

6:20 p.m.

Jason Day is hardly the only Australian on the leaderboard at the U.S. Open.

There are the other usual big names, such as Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy, within striking distance of the lead. Then there is the less-well-known, 21-year-old Cameron Smith, who posted back-to-back rounds of even-par 70 to ensure he'll be playing on the weekend.

Smith has played mostly in Asia along with making a few Web.com starts, but is certainly making the most of his first appearance in the U.S. Open.

''I just treat it as another tournament,'' he insisted Friday afternoon. ''I think once you get in the zone, it doesn't really matter.''

---

5:45 p.m.

Patrick Reed is in contention at the U.S. Open after making three birdies on the front nine to start his second round Friday.

Reed, who was at 5 under overall, is one of the more colorful figures on the PGA Tour. The four-time winner is endearing at times, but he also has rubbed people the wrong way.

At least year's Ryder Cup, he gave the Scottish crowd the ''shush'' sign during a match with Henrik Stenson. Later, he was caught on live TV using a homophobic slur.

He was kicked off his college team at Georgia, but exacted some revenge of sorts when he transferred to Augusta State. He helped the school win two national championships, the second of them coming in 2011 against - you guessed it, the Bulldogs.

---

4:45 p.m.

So much for the feel-good story of Ryan Moore coming home and contending for his first major.

He will be a spectator for the weekend.

Moore shot a 74 on Friday and finished his two days at 9 over. The native of Puyallup, Washington, just a few miles from Chambers Bay, made bogey on four of the first five holes to start his second nine.

The back half of Moore's round was a problem both days. In the first round on Thursday, Moore made a pair of double bogeys during his back nine.

''I'm disappointed with how I played,'' Moore said. ''I would be lying if I said I felt great coming into this week. I tried getting out there, getting a lot of time on the golf course, getting comfortable with it. This course does not set up all that well for me.''

Moore tied for 10th in 2009 at Bethpage, his highest finish ever at the U.S. Open. Moore has now missed the cut in five of his nine U.S. Opens.

---

4:15 p.m.

The U.S. Open's new TV deal boosted its viewership for the first round.

The 11 hours of live coverage on Fox Sports 1 and Fox on Thursday averaged 2 million viewers. That's the most since the 2002 tournament at Bethpage.

The last time the U.S. Open was on the West Coast, which allows for part of the round to be played in the premier evening time slot in much of the country, Thursday's coverage averaged 1.8 million viewers between ESPN and NBC. Coverage aired on ESPN from 12-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. EDT and from 3-5 p.m. on NBC that day.

This year, the Open was on FS1 from 12-8 p.m. and on Fox from 8-11 p.m.

---

3:50 p.m.

Jason Day's agent has released a statement regarding Day's collapse at the end of his round on Friday.

''Jason is being treated on site at Chambers Bay, after feeling dizzy near the end of his round,'' Day's agent Bud Martin said. ''We will provide more information later today after getting through the medical evaluation process. Jason wants to express his appreciation for all the good wishes from so many fans and friends.''

Day fell while walking to his last hole of the second round. The three-time PGA Tour winner has been dealing with symptoms of vertigo for a while.

Day was walking toward his ball in the bunker of the par-3 ninth hole when he fell to his left, his head hitting hard. The crowd gasped as the Australian lay motionless.

He was tended to by medical staff for several minutes before getting up a bit shakily. He chose to continue his round, splashing out of the bunker before two-putting for bogey.

---

3:15 p.m.

Jordan Spieth would prefer if the 18th at Chambers Bay was never again played as a par-4.

Spieth knows he must get past that anger. It's likely to be a par-4 again sometime this weekend.

Spieth's one major mistake on Friday was a double bogey on the 18th - his ninth hole of the day - during his round of 67. His problem with the hole as a par-4, which played at 514 yards, was the narrow landing area on the drive unless you can carry the tee shot around 300 yards.

''If it's going to be a par-4 and you're going to bring that other bunker into play, I think the tee should have been moved up more. But I'm not the one that's putting the course together,'' Spieth said. ''I just didn't know where I could hit that tee shot.''

---

2:50 p.m.

As the second wave of players hit the course at Chambers Bay, those hovering just over par were suddenly very wary of the cut line to play the weekend at the U.S. Open.

The line was 3 over as the morning rounds finished, but that could climb a bit depending on how things go in the afternoon. The course played far tougher later in the day during the opening round as the greens became firm and the breeze picked up.

Tiger Woods doesn't have to worry about the cut line. At 16 over, he is virtually assured of missing it for only the fifth time in a major championship as a professional.

''On a golf course like this you get exposed,'' Woods said, ''and you have to be precise and dialed in. And obviously I didn't have that.''

---

2:25 p.m.

Jordan Spieth is in the lead and Tiger Woods is headed home, while nobody is certain whether Jason Day will be able to continue this weekend at the U.S. Open.

Spieth shot 3-under 67 to reach 5 under for the championship on Friday. The Masters champ had a few shaky moments toward the end before a birdie at the par-3 ninth, his finishing hole.

Woods followed his 10-over 80 in the opening round, his worst score ever in a U.S. Open, with a 6-over 76 on Friday. At the time, he was 21 shots off the lead.

Day, meanwhile, was still receiving medical attention after he was overcome by dizziness and collapsed on his final hole. He managed to finish and was three off the lead, but it was unknown whether the popular Australian will be able to tee off Saturday.

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1:50 p.m.

Jason Day fell while walking to his last hole of the second round of the U.S. Open Friday, apparently overcome by dizziness.

The three-time PGA Tour winner has been dealing with symptoms of vertigo for a while.

Day was walking toward his ball in the bunker of the par-3 ninth hole when he fell to his left, his head hitting hard. The crowd gasped as the Australian lay motionless.

He was tended to by medical staff for several minutes before getting up a bit shakily. He chose to continue his round, splashing out of the bunker before two-putting for bogey.

He was even for the day and 2 under for the tournament, three off the lead.

Day was then taken in a cart to sign his scorecard before getting more medical attention.

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1:30 p.m.

Colin Montgomerie figures Mike Davis is getting his revenge.

After several players posted low scores in the opening round of the U.S. Open, the USGA official in charge of setting up Chambers Bay ramped up the difficulty. While there were still birdies to be found Friday, it took a little bit of looking.

Lots of guts and a little bit of luck, too.

''Mike Davis wasn't happy with 5 unders,'' Montgomerie said before starting his second round.

The USGA prefers par to be a good score. So, Davis moved the tees back a bit to lengthen the course Friday. He also made many of the hole locations less forgiving.

The result was a tough course that will get only tougher.

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1 p.m.

Jamie Lovemark expects Chambers Bay to toughen up again Friday afternoon.

Lovemark followed his even-par 70 in the opening round of the U.S. Open with a 68 to move into contention. He took advantage of cool temperatures, little breeze and receptive greens to shoot 3-under 33 on the front before a late bogey left him 2 under.

By the time he finished, the sun had come out and temperatures were climbing - ''We have two climates, basically,'' Lovemark said. And while the wind still had not picked up, the course was nonetheless beginning to feel like concrete.

That should make things interesting for first-round leaders Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson, who shot 65 in the easier morning conditions on Thursday.

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12:25 p.m.

Chambers Bay was not built with pedestrian access as a priority.

The USGA is hearing about it, too.

Fans have been grumbling the first two days of the U.S. Open about the difficulty in following groups. But the USGA says the unique dunes and slick fescue has made safety more important than good vantage points.

Championship director Danny Sink said Friday the USGA is attempting to make adjustments on the fly, but safety will remain the priority. It's also why there are 18,000 bleacher seats.

''We're not going to sacrifice safety to give our spectators more shots, more angles, more views,'' Sink said. ''We've been conservative and we've made sure people are not going in places where they are going to fall down and get hurt.''

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12:15 p.m.

Joe Buck and Greg Norman anchoring U.S. Open coverage for Fox caused plenty of headlines, but the ''featured group'' coverage team has stolen the show.

Led by Tim Brando with analysis from Mark Brooks, Buddy Marucci and Natalie Gulbis, the team has followed one group each day. On Friday, it was Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose.

Couple of the gems from the second round?

Brando was pondering the role of caddies when he asked Brooks, a former major winner, how much he relied on his. Brooks replied, ''Depends how much he'd been drinking.''

Later, Jason Day had a poor lie in a fairway bunker. The prudent shot was to punch out, but Brooks astutely observed that egos often override logic when he deadpanned, ''These guys aren't very good at pitching out.''

Day wound up going for the green. He found another bunker.

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11:55 a.m.

Give Rickie Fowler credit for taking his struggles in stride.

The winner of The Players Championship arrived at Chambers Bay for his early tee time in Friday's second round dressed head to toe in royal blue. He was standing near the practice green when Masters champion Jordan Spieth approached him.

''Why are you blue?'' Spieth asked, innocently.

Fowler looked at him and replied, ''I shot 81.''

The young friends both laughed before finishing their warmup for the second round.

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A bit of good in another bad day for Woods

June 19, 2015

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. (AP) - Something good finally happened to Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open on Friday.

He found a golf ball.

It took some digging, but Woods is getting used to that. Still, he seemed a bit startled when someone's long lost Titleist popped off his club as he took a practice swing in the deep rough off the third fairway.

''Can you believe that?'' Woods said, drawing laughs from spectators before picking up the ball and tossing it to his caddie.

Actually, it wasn't that tough to believe. Chambers Bay has some patches of rough where golf balls go and mowers don't.

What was harder to believe was how bad the man who once dominated golf continues to play. Woods not only missed the cut in the Open he's won three times, but did it with barely a whimper.

He imploded early in his opening round on his way to a big, fat 80 that was his worst first-round score on the PGA Tour by three shots. He added a 76 on Friday that was capped by three straight three-putts to finish.

Other than finding a ball, about the only other good news was his private jet was fueled and ready to get him quickly out of town.

''Obviously I need to get better for the British Open,'' Wood said, ''and I'll work on it.''

Just how much of that work is physical and how much mental only Woods knows, and he's not saying. He hit shots at Chambers Bay like the Tiger of old at times, only to follow them with either silly mistakes or mishits that would make a weekend hacker cringe.

The only consistent is that he is terribly inconsistent.

It's almost enough to make you feel sorry for the player once both feared and revered. He has become a sympathetic figure of sorts, with the fans who watched him walk by Friday shouting out words of encouragement.

''Fourteen majors, no worries,'' one yelled out.

''Minor setback for a major comeback,'' screamed another.

With each passing round, though, the comeback seems less certain. Woods remains trapped between swings and no longer has the ability to almost will balls into the hole with his putter in hand.

Worse yet, the player with 14 major titles and 79 PGA Tour wins seems to be paralyzed at times by the fear of bad things happening.

He also remains stuck in the answers he has perfected that don't come close to explaining anything about his perplexing collapse.

''Just continue practicing, continue working on it,'' Woods said. ''And hopefully it will be a little bit better.''

Just how much better it has to get was on display Friday as Woods and playing partner Rickie Fowler set out at double digits over par before they had even hit a shot.

In the group in front of them, Jordan Spieth was adding a nifty 67 to his opening 68 to take the early second-round lead. Woods, who was 15 shots back of the lead when the day began, was 17 behind by the time he made the turn.

When he finished he was a staggering 21 shots back, and so badly whipped that he didn't even try to joke about it like he did the day before.

''On a golf course like this you get exposed and you have to be precise and dialed in,'' Woods said. ''And obviously I didn't have that.''

If there is one side benefit to his struggles it's that Woods has been sufficiently humbled that he has become friendlier with the fellow pros he once mostly ignored. He and Fowler chatted between shots Friday, and Woods said after the round he was going to call Jason Day to see if he was OK after collapsing with apparent vertigo issues.

That's not to say there is a lot of sympathy from competitors who worry more about their own games.

''Wish him the best,'' Spieth said when asked if Woods' woes were a big topic among players. ''But as far as talking about it, no, there's really no murmur, we're just focusing on ourselves.''

Woods will return to play next in the Greenbrier Classic, hoping to regain some of his game before the British Open next month. That's at St. Andrews, where he won in 2000 as part of the Tiger Slam and again in 2005.

It's a course Woods knows and plays well, one where he might have a chance to at least be respectable, much like the Masters earlier this year.

Until then he'll have bad memories of another wasted major, one he knew he had no chance the minute he whiffed on an iron shot on his first hole in the opening round.

About the only thing he can take away from Chambers Bay is one more ball than he arrived with.

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Day overcome by vertigo while contending

June 19, 2015

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. (AP) - Jason Day was overcome by dizziness and collapsed on his final hole at the U.S. Open on Friday, raising doubt about whether he will be able to continue this weekend.

Day, who has dealt with vertigo in the past, was 3 under for the championship when he was approaching his ball in the greenside bunker on the ninth hole, his last of the second round.

Suddenly, Day fell over to his left, attempting to brace his fall with his hands. His head bounced off the hard ground and Day lay nearly motionless for several minutes.

''I was walking with him, the next thing I know, I turned around and I think he got dizzy and slipped and fell,'' said Jordan Spieth, his playing partner. ''So at that point, how can we help him out and kind of clear the scene and try to keep the cameras off.''

Day remained flat on his back while medical staff tended to him. He finally got up with their help, still a bit shaky on his feet, and chose to finish off his round.

The popular Australian climbed gingerly into the greenside bunker, where his hands were visibly shaking. Day then splashed out of the sand as the gallery cheered, two-putting for bogey to finish at 2 under, at the time three shots off the lead.

''He seemed chirpy, buoyant all day,'' said Day's other playing partner, Justin Rose. ''That was out of the blue, for sure.''

Day was helped onto a cart and driven to the scorer's tent to make his round official, then helped into a waiting van. Day is staying on the property in a large motorhome.

''Jason was diagnosed to have suffered from Benign Positional Vertigo,'' his agent, Bud Martin, said in a statement. ''He was treated locally by Dr. Robert Stoecker and Dr. Charles Souliere and is resting comfortably. His condition is being monitored closely and he is hopeful he will be able to compete this weekend in the final rounds of the U.S. Open.''

Day's caddie, Colin Swatton, said that it was similar to an episode that Day had at last year's World Golf Championship event at Firestone in Ohio. Day had completed two holes on Sunday when he had to withdraw because of dizziness.

Day, who won the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year, went through a procedure that was supposed to help with the vertigo, but issues with his equilibrium have continued. Day was forced to withdraw from the Byron Nelson last month after getting dizzy during the pro-am.

''I know he didn't play in Dallas this year because of vertigo,'' said Tiger Woods, who was playing in the group just behind Day on Friday. ''I played with him at the Memorial and talked to him in depth, they did a blood panel and all of that stuff. I hope he's OK.''

Day is the second player to be hospitalized during the U.S. Open.

Gary Woodland was taken to Tacoma General Hospital after he shot 4-over 74 in the opening round Thursday. Woodland was treated with IV fluids and diagnosed with dehydration and a virus, but returned to the course and played his second round Friday.

Fortunately for Day, he was on the final hole when he collapsed, allowing medical staff to reach him quickly. Chambers Bay is blanketed by massive dunes and rugged terrain, and with the huge galleries it is difficult to get around.

''I was glad we could get done,'' Rose said. ''At least he has a chance to recover for tomorrow, hopefully. I don't know if this is one of those things that is 10 minutes or a day.''

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Par was more than just a number at 18

June 19, 2015

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. (AP) - For some players who were at Chambers Bay for the U.S. Amateur five years ago, the one concern was a forward tee would be used on the 18th hole to make a par 4 in the U.S. Open. That's what the USGA did Friday, and the results were predictable.

No one was more bothered by it than Jordan Spieth.

''This is the dumbest hole I've ever played in my life,'' Spieth said after catching the lip of a fairway bunker.

He went on to make double bogey, and while he said the hole at 514 yards doesn't make much sense, ''when I didn't hit the right shots, it's going to make less sense.'' He was aware the microphone picked up his comment and shrugged it off.

Spieth wasn't alone. Some thought it was bad. Others thought it was cool. Most seemed to think it was a bit awkward.

''You feel like you're trying to hit into the left rough off the tee, which doesn't make it feel like a great golf hole,'' Justin Rose said. He went down the right side, which Rose thought was a mistake, and was happy to see it stop just short of the bunker.

Brad Fritsch called it a hard hole, but not the best par 4.

''You're trying to carry it 275, but not run it out 320,'' he said. ''With these fairways, it's going to roll a lot. I hit 3-wood to the right, and subsequently, it's a much harder shot in with a 5-iron for me.''

Spieth said it was a big advantage for the big hitters who could carry it some 310 yards over the trouble.

''If it's going to be a par 4 and you're going to bring that other bunker into play, I think the tee should have been moved up more,'' he said. ''I just didn't know where I could hit that tee shot. I wasn't going to hit a 3-iron into a par 4. I wasn't going to hit 3-iron off the tee and then hit a 3-wood. So all in all, I thought it was a dumb hole today.''

Jamie Lovemark and Tony Finau, both power players, thought it was cool. That's not to say it didn't present problems off the tee. Lovemark said he had 275 yards over the left bunker and 325 yards to the right bunker. He took a little off a driver and tried to go down the right into the fescue.

''If I had to play it all over again, I'd probably hit a hard driver down the left side and hopefully it bounces out of the fescue,'' Lovemark said.

He shot a 68 and was at 2-under 138. And over the weekend, he most likely will get to play it again. The USGA is alternating the par 4 and par 5 between No. 1 and No. 18. Still to be determined is what par is used for the final hole on Sunday.

---

HAMMER TIME: Cole Hammer made one birdie in 36 holes and finished 26 shots out of the lead.

And the 15-year-old from Houston had the time of his life at the U.S. Open.

''Oh, man, it was awesome,'' Hammer said after an 84 at Chambers Bay. ''It was a blast. It was the best time of my life.''

Hammer was the third-youngest qualifier in U.S. Open history, and the 125-pounder faced long odds. He didn't hit the ball as well as he would have liked, and he didn't think he made many putts - not many players did.

He got a reasonable consolation prize. By playing in the U.S. Open, Hammer is exempt from qualifying for the U.S. Junior and U.S. Amateur later this summer.

''I've got some good strong tournaments lined up for this summer, so I'm excited to get that going,'' he said. ''I'm sure this will give me a good experience going forward.''

And he wants to be at Oakmont next year for the U.S. Open.

''I will try. Yes, sir, I definitely will,'' he said.

---

HOSSLER'S STANDARD: Beau Hossler joined some exclusive company at Chambers Bay this week. According to the USGA, the 20-year-old Californian is only the fifth player to qualify for the U.S. Open three times as an amateur.

The others were Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw and Bobby Clampett.

That's all well and good, but Hossler doesn't want to settle for just that.

''Any time you are in company with Jack Nicklaus, I guess you're doing something right,'' Hossler said. ''Obviously, it's nice making it here, but I'm trying to contend. That's the goal. I've proven to myself that I can qualify for the event, but I think it's time I start making a move toward the lead a little bit.''

Hossler had a 72 on Friday and made the cut. There is a reason for his high standard. Three years ago, Hossler contended on the weekend at Olympic Club as a 17-year-old until he faded to a 76 in the final round and tied for 29th.

---

HOMETOWN MISS: So much for the feel-good story of Ryan Moore coming home and contending for his first major.

He will be a spectator for the weekend.

Moore shot a 74 on Friday and finished his two days at 9 over. The native of Puyallup, Washington, just a few miles from Chambers Bay, made bogey on four of the first five holes to start his second nine.

''I'm disappointed with how I played,'' Moore said. ''I would be lying if I said I felt great coming into this week. I tried getting out there, getting a lot of time on the golf course, getting comfortable with it. This course does not set up all that well for me.''

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good luck and i'll be back for the evening action......

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Texas announces review of academics

June 16, 2015

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The University of Texas has hired an outside investigator for an independent probe into allegations of academic fraud within the men's basketball program.

School spokesman Gary Susswein said late Monday the investigation will be overseen by Gene Marsh, a former chairman of the NCAA infractions committee, who has already begun his work.

The review was ordered by new school President Greg Fenves, who assumed the post June 3. Last week, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported on three cases of alleged academic misconduct by men's basketball players.

The university scheduled a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning to discuss the investigation. The cost of the probe and how long it will take were not immediately announced.

The announcement of the investigation was first reported by the Austin American-Statesman.

In the report by the Chronicle of Higher Education, a former academic counselor said a math instructor told him she saw former basketball player Martez Walker cheating on an exam, and that Walker was allowed to pass anyway. Walker has since transferred.

The counselor also said he believed former Longhorn P.J. Tucker received impermissible help with a paper while preparing for the NBA draft, and a former academic mentor said he helped write papers for former player J'Covan Brown.

Texas officials said last week they had looked into a Chronicle report last year that questioned men's basketball academics and ''determined that the university had no knowledge of two former student-athletes allegedly receiving improper help with high school coursework before they enrolled.''

''We now are reviewing three other cases purported to have occurred over a nine-year period since 2006 to determine if any university of NCAA rules were violated and if any action is needed,'' the school said.

That time span covers part of the tenure of former coach Rick Barnes, who was fired in March after 17 seasons. Barnes was then hired at Tennessee.

Texas said last week it ''has no information that suggests'' Barnes knew of or was involved in any academic improprieties.

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Kentucky season tickets are going up

June 19, 2015

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky basketball fans will pay 13 to 21 percent more for season tickets under the first price increase in three years.

School trustees on Friday approved the increases. Tickets for the lower level in 23,000-seat Rupp Arena will increase from $945 to $1,140 each. Upper-level tickets will rise from $840 to $950 each.

A five-tier price system for single-game seats will increase slightly, ranging from $40 to $95 in the lower bowl and $25 to $90 in the upper level. Prices vary because of the profile of Southeastern Conference and nonleague opponents and which days of the week games are played.

Kentucky's conference schedule will be released this summer.

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UNC, Williams extended through 2020

June 19, 2015

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina has agreed to a two-year contract extension with Roy Williams, keeping the Hall of Fame coach with the Tar Heels through the 2019-20 season.

The deal, announced Friday, will pay Williams a base salary of between $408,169 this fall and $595,409 in 2019-20, with supplemental compensation ranging from $1.55 million this fall and $1.75 million in the final year. There's also a $40,000 annual expense account, along with outside contracts with Nike and for multimedia obligations.

The extension comes amid UNC's long-running academic fraud scandal involving a department popular with athletes across numerous sports, including men's basketball. Williams wasn't charged with wrongdoing in an independent investigation led by former U.S. Justice Department official Kenneth Wainstein nor in the NCAA's probe that resulted in five charges against the school.

''Roy is a man of character and integrity and I have great respect for the way he leads our basketball program,'' athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement.

There are also bonuses for the team's NCAA Tournament finish and its academic progress rate scores. In a statement, Williams said the extension puts him close to his goal of coaching another six to 10 years.

''I appreciate the confidence Chancellor (Carol) Folt and Bubba Cunningham have in my leadership of the basketball program,'' Williams said.

Williams has 750 career wins in 27 seasons that include 15 at Kansas, and he won NCAA titles at UNC in 2005 and 2009.

The school also announced three-year contracts and raises for women's tennis coach Brian Kalbas and women's lacrosse coach Jenny Levy.