STROKE OF THE DAY

"A good golf course makes you want to play so badly that you hardly have the time to change your shoes. "

The second round of the U.S. Open is in the books, and here are some random musings from inside the media center:

-First of all, the media center itself is absolutely amazing. I like to call it the media palace. Everything right down to the portable bathrooms scream luxury. The USGA truly knows how to put on a first class event.

-I'm not the biggest fan of Sergio Garcia because he always seems to lean toward the negative instead of staying optimistic and upbeat (see: press conference following final round of 2007 British Open). But after a horrid 76 in the first round that included a shanked approach on the seventh hole, the uber-talented Spaniard rebounded in the second round with a 1-under-par 70 and certainly isn't out of it for the weekend. Way to go, Sergio.

-The player in the best position that nobody seems to notice is D.J. Trahan. The 27-year-old Atlanta native showed a lot of mettle when he won earlier this year at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, and he has the length (and just maybe, the poise) to contend for the national championship.

-A player born outside the United States has won the U.S. Open in each of the last four years, and I see no reason why that trend won't continue this year at Torrey Pines. Brits like Lee Westwood and Luke Donald each have the game to capture their first major, and Aussie Geoff Ogilvy, who reaped the ultimate benefit of Phil Mickelson's poor decision-making at the 2006 Open at Winged Foot, has looked cool and confident on a lengthy Torrey Pines track.

-My favorite names among the competitors at the 2008 U.S. Open (it's just fun to say them... nothing personal, guys): El Salvador's Fernando Figueroa, New York's Michael Quagliano, amateur and Florida native Derek Fathauer (he's not really fat, though), and my leader in the clubhouse, Scotsman Robert Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie!

Be sure to check back to Southland Golf regularly for other live reports from myself and Eric Marson.