Compiled by Philp Reid

Canny caddie

A good caddie knows when to speak his mind. In the case of Ken Comboy - Graeme McDowell's bagman - that time came on the 10th hole of yesterday's first round of the US Open as his man was on the way to pressing the self-destruct button.

McDowell had struggled hugely on the viciously undulating greens of Oakmont, recording three three-putts on his front nine, including one that led to a double-bogey six on the 18th (having started on the 10th). So, as player and caddie made their way to the first tee, their 10th hole of the day, Comboy felt it was time for a little one-on-one with his employer, who was four-over at that stage.

"I couldn't really fault my tee-to-green game, but my putting was not good at all for the first nine holes," said McDowell. In fact, despite finding eight of nine greens in regulation, he had taken 21 putts. He added: "I was not in a very good frame of mind. My caddie had to talk me in off the ledge, as he likes to call it. I wasn't feeling very good."

Comboy, assuming the role of a shrink, reminded McDowell that he is actually a very good putter. "Come on, Graeme, everyone's beating themselves up out here. You're a great putter, you'll get the feel," he said.

The piece of advice worked. "Thankfully, I've got a good man on the bag because I was probably ready to hit the self-destruct button at one point out there," acknowledged McDowell. "I managed to get my head reattached. I've never felt so uncomfortable in my life on a putting surface as I do out there. It doesn't matter if they are 10-feet, 20-feet, 50-feet. They're just awful, really scary."

McDowell, though, did manage to turn things around, coming home in eight pars and a birdie - with 15 putts compared to 21 for his front nine - to sign for a 73.

Putting divide

Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the course at Oakmont is that the practice putting green is actually a part of the ninth green, which can prove to be a distraction for those coming up the ninth and playing their approach shots while players are practising their putts.

The green is divided in half by two blue post markers on either side, with those practising warned by the USGA not to practise their putts on the in-play section of the ninth green or they would risk disqualification for practising on the course.

Instant recognition

The name Brett Bergman wouldn't get too much recognition from the galleries at the US Open this week . . . but when Sergio Garcia saw the university undergraduate carrying the signboard in his practice round on Wednesday, it led to instant recognition and a hug from the Spaniard.

Bergman, who is a student at Villanova University, attempted to qualify for the US Open on his home course, but shot a 75 in local qualifying at nearby Quicksilver Golf Club that proved to be a couple of shots too many to enable him to advance to sectional qualifying. Instead, his role at Oakmont was as a signboy, carrying the scoreboard in Garcia's group. Garcia first met Bergman a number of years ago.

Bergman suffers from an undiagnosed medical condition that leads to episodes of extreme fever and inflammation of muscles around the heart and had written a letter to the Make a Wish Foundation seeking to play a round of golf with Garcia, which duly happened. The two were re-united at Oakmont with Bergman carrying the scoreboard rather than playing.

It didn't bring Garcia any luck, however. The Spaniard opened his account with a 79.