The 2nd Day at Pebble Beach

Not so fast, says Phil Mickelson. With four birdies on the first six holes, the second ranked player in the world skyrocketed up the leaderboard to 1 under. He is currently two shots behind Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell. His 66 is the lowest round of the tournament, catapulting Lefty into prime position to grab his first U.S. Open.

Ernie Els is also at 1 under for the championship after a 3 under 68. Formerly ranked 3rd in the world, the South African has won 3 major championship including 2 U.S. Opens in 1994 and 1997, but his game recently has been lacking. Many analysts point the accident Els suffered in 2005, tearing his ACL. They believe that only time could heal the mental wounds caused by sudden jolts of pain. This theory is weighted by Els' solid play in 2010. He has already won a tournament, and Els has contended throughout the PGA Tour season.

For the first two rounds, Els played with Woods and the world's fourth ranked player,

Lee Westwood. He certainly did not falter in both players' shadows, a sign that Els has returned to form mentally as well as physically. At 6 foot 3 inches, the "Big Easy" seems to have regained his knack to shine under pressure.

Ryo Ishikawa, with a round of 70, continues to be consistent at Pebble Beach. Although a teenager has never won a major championship, I would not be stunned if he were the first.

Fellow South African Tim Clark sits at 2 over following consecutive rounds of 72. He really has excelled on Tour this season, finally mastering his pot belly putting technique to complement his world class ball striking. At the Player's Championship, Clark exploded from the field to capture the title. With McDowell only 5 strokes ahead, he could be a factor as the tournament progresses. Nevertheless, as hard as the TPC Sawgrass can be, Pebble Beach is a completely different entity. It very well might be the world's most difficult course, especially when the wind is gusting.

Not to be overly ambitious yet Tom Watson played quite well in his second round. The 1982 U.S. Open Champion at Pebble Beach shot a 7 over 78 in round 1, but followed with a 1 under 70 today. The 60 year old Watson should find himself within the top 20 come the tournament's end, but another win along the shores of the Monterrey Bay seems unlikely for the Kansas native. It would be a feel good story, and perhaps one of redemption for Watson, after handing the 2009 British Open away to Stewart Cink. Still, a top 20 finish coupled with a tied for 18th at Augusta leaves people wondering whether Saint Andrews and the British Open could be Waton's 6th British Open.

Tiger Woods turned in another lackluster performance on Friday, shooting a 1 over 72. He enters Saturday 8 shots behind McDowell, with his chances at major championship number 15 dwindling before his eyes. Woods has not putted well all week, telling the media on Thursday that the greens were "some of the worst he has ever seen." Odd comments for Woods, considering the greens, which are composed primarily of poe anna grass, are favorites of the world's number one ranked player. He excelled on similar poe anna greens in 2008 at Torrey Pines as well as in 2000 on these very greens.

-DR

U.S Open Day 1 Recap

Phil Mickelson was the favorite heading into the first round of the 110th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. But that isn't a shock? The 4 time major champion has finished second in the United States Open five times, and not to mention, Pebble Beach was the site of Mickelson's pro debut. Unfortunately for Phil, he shot 75. I am not writing him off, but the day belonged to NCAA golfers.

Tied for the lead at 2 under par, Hudson Swafford (left) is playing in his first U.S. Open. He redshirted this past season at the University of Georgia because of chronic shoulder problems. In 2008 and 2009, the 22 year old Swafford earned 2nd team All-America honors.

Morgan Hoffman sits just two shots off the pace at even par. A native of New Jersey, the 20 year old posted two 67s to qualify for the U.S. Open. Oddly enough, he won the Phil Mickelson award in 2009, as the nation's top freshman. Hoffman, currently a sophomore, earned 1st team All-America honors as a freshman. He lost in the NCAA title match this past season.

Although not a college attendee, Japan's Ryo Ishikawa appears to be the youngest golfer primed for contention come Sunday at Pebble Beach. He has already been profiled on NextGenSports, and Ishikawa's maturity on the golf course has been described by Tiger Woods as "otherwordly." One radio analyst contended that Ishikawa is so impressive compared to other athletes. He mentioned that at 18 year old in football, baseball or basketball, one would likely be in college, merely refining his/her skills. Not for Ishikawa. After shooting a 1 under 70, he is for real. Just look at his spot in the World Golf Rankings. His is in the top 50, at number 47, and clearly, the Japanese phenom is here to stay.

Back to the NCAA, the low round of day belonged to another golfer with ties to collegiant ranks. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech, albeit a native of Zimbabwe. Brendon de Jonge carded an eagle of the par 5 14th hole deemed by certain golf pundits as the hardest par 5 in golf. As an avid videogamer whose has battled the treacherous layout of Pebble Beach, I can contend that number 14 is literally impossible. Par on that hole is a good score. de Jonge ended up shooting 69.

Carding a 69 as well, alongside de Jonge, sat Englishman and former number 3 player in the world, Paul Casey. He certainly is no stranger to contending in majors, just look at the Masters in 2008. Yet, this Arizona State graduate has struggled in competition in the States. Most of the Casey's wins and World Rankings' points have come on the European Tour. I don't mean to downplay Casey as a possible contender, but I wonder if this David Leadbetter pupil can get it done. Seriously, when was the last time not only an Englishman but a European won a U.S. Open? 40 years ago, Tony Jacklin triumphed at Hazeltine in Minnesota.

Look for de Jonge, playing in his first U.S. Open to falter. I doubt many have him winning the entire championship. Casey should fade, too. Dustin Johnson is a name to watch. He has won the last 2 times at this course for the annual PGA Tour stop, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. At 1 under and possessing a keen sense of Pebble Beach's devishly quick greens, Johnson appears to primed for contention at the 110th U.S. Open. Don't forget: Johnson has been playing steadily all season long.

-DR

Conferences, the Future

As I sit down to write this article, I can confidently assert that the future of college sports looks much brighter today than as of yesterday. The six major conferences, consisting of the ACC, Big East, SEC, Big 10, Big 12 and Pac 10 all remain in tact. Yes, certain teams have changed conferences, but the overall landscape is stable, thanks to one school in particular, the University of Texas Longhorns (pictured above).

Let us rewind 24 hours. The Big 12 was in shambles. Nebraska had bolted to the Big 10, enticed by the conference's own network and the guaranteed $20-25 million the university would receive annually. Fellow North division opponent Colorado had already announced its intentions to join the Pac 10. Money seems to be the driving force behind the Buffaloes decision, yet statistics show that the Big 12 has a greater total revenue than the Pac 10. Yes, the distribution between teams in the Big 12 is unequal, with national powerhouses, such as Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State receiving the majority of the money. Furthermore, these national powerhouses who headline the Big 12 Conference were reviewing moves to Pac 10, as well. The University of Texas A&M was even considering moving to the football crazy SEC.

If this were to have occurred, with Oklahoma, Texas, Oklahoma State, and others, the Pac 10 would have been drastically different. With more than 12 teams, the conference, as deemed by the NCAA, is eligible to create divisions. In ideal circumstances, the former Big 12 members would pair with Arizona, Arizona State, and perhaps USC to form the South Division. While, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, and California would headline the North Division. At the end of the football season, the winners of each division would play in the Pac 10 Championship Game, an entity that does not yet exist within the conference, to determine which team would play in the BCS Bowl Games.

Expectedly, this new super Pac 10 Conference creates more problems within the BCS. Imagine for a moment that the Pac 10 as well as the Big 10 expand drastically to accomodate for all Big 12 teams. Thus, the NCAA would now have only 5 major conferences. The BCS, in its current system, awards each major conference one BCS berth. Thus, the conference winners, as of now, account for 6 of the 10 teams in BCS Bowls. In the scenario with 5 conferences, rules would have to amended, and many analysts point to this possible conference expansion as a stepping stone to a playoff system. Certainly, fans nationwide would not be averse to such a system.

This morning, Big 12 Commissioner Don Beebe persuaded University of Texas and President Bill Powers to stay in the Big 12 Conference. With just 10 teams, two divisions and a conference title game would both be elements of the past. Beebe, however, promised a more lucrative TV deal, which would likely pay the Longhorns between $20-25 million per year. Unfortunately, the conference will likely not have its own network. Texas emerges as the culprit. The University already has a network dedicated to the Longhorns, and, as childish as it may appear, they are unwilling to remove themselves from the spotlight. Not all is bad for teams, such as Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa State. No, they will not receive revenue like the conferences elite, but they should generate double their current amount of revenue.

Complicated? Yes, but unfortunately, the fate of the Big 10 causes an entirely different headache. With the addition of Nebraska, the conference expands to 12 teams. (I know the conference signifies there should be 10 teams, but Penn State, the Big 10's 11th team, joined years after the conference was named). Two division and a conference championship game appear to be in the Big 10's future, but will the conference stop at 12 teams. Conference Commissioner Jim Delaney is keen on adding Notre Dame. In football, they are an independent, meaning they can play whoever they want, whenever they want. The Fighting Irish are not constrained to a conference schedule. already? To make matters trickier, Notre Dame is a member of the Big East in every other sport. Nevertheless, the possible move of Notre Dame to the Big 10 eliminates, in essence, the university's TV deal with NBC. In terms of money, the move to the Big 10 would be costly for the Fighting Irish. The swaying factor is travel. Notre Dame is located in South Bend, IN, which is miles away from the likes of USC or Boston College. The Big 10's schedule would allow Notre Dame to travel often via bus to games, which would eliminates the cost of long plane flights.

The Big 10 is also looking to tap into the New York and New Jersey markets. As a result, Commissioner Jim Delaney looks to Rutgers as a possible members. The Scarlet Knights currently are part of the Big East, but their presence in the Big 10 brings the intrigue of the country's #1 sports market, New York City. Rutgers is also the state university of New Jersey, bringing fans from across the state to the Big 10 Conference.

In addition, Syracuse appears to be on the conference's radar. Although not anymore a football power, university provides the Big 10 with the entire up state New York market. Moreover, the Orange are an elite basketball program, perhaps helping to eliminate the perception that the conference begins and ends with football. The most intriguing dynamic, however, is the Big East. If Syracuse leaves, the conference loses one of its founding universities. It is a power in basketball, as aforementioned, with a rich tradition in both lacrosse and football. If the Orange leave the Big East, some analysts predict the conference, in its entirety, could begin to crumble.

ESPN has reported that the University of Maryland may leave the ACC to join the Big 10, as well. I'm not questioning the validity of the report or the motive of switching to a richer, more prestigious conference, but as a Maryland resident, I find the entire notion difficult to fathom. Maryland, as an athletic program, is so intertwined with its rivalries against Duke, North Carolina, and Wake Forest in basketball, and many Maryland boosters would hate to leave potential classic tussles behind.

Last but not least, Boise State has left the WAC. They are joining the Mountain West Conference, which should shape up to be the premier "mid-major" conference in the country. The Broncos should be tested against fellow football-rich programs, such as Utah, BYU and TCU. Perhaps this plethora of elite football universities will make the NCAA consider expanding to 7 major conferences, with the BCS awarding 7 automatic bids.

-DR

2010 FIFA World Cup Team to Watch: Australia

The Socceroos exceeded all expectations in the 2006 World Cup, making it out of their group into the knockout rounds before being beaten by eventual champions Italy on a questionable penalty kick. This year, the Aussies are back and better than they have ever been before. Led by 3 year coach Pim Verbeek, a Dutchman who values solid defense and goalkeeping above all else, the Socceroos will try to score early on opponents and then "close up shop" (a term applied when a team pulls its strikers back and focuses on not conceeding goals rather than scoring them). Despite being a country with very little, if any, history of World Cup success, watch the "boys from down under" fight their way out of Group D.

Australia's greatest strengths, their backend and midfield, are headed up by keeper Mark Schwarzer, defender Lucas Neill, and creative middie Tim Cahill. Schwarzer is thought to be one of the best goalies in the world. As a player for English club Fullham FC, he helped lead them very deep into the Champions league (with the help of American midfielder Clint Dempey). Schwarzer is known for his savvy at stopping penalty kicks and held seven of the eight opponents Australia faced scorless on the team's way to qualifying. Lucas Neill, the backbone of the Socceroos strong defensive unit, has captained the team for 4 years. At age 32 he is nearing the end of his international career, but don't write off this center back. Neill is an incredibly strong precense in the middle of the field and looks to mesh right in with Verbeek's defensive scheme in the 4-2-3-1 set. Australia's "Golden Boy" Tim Cahill is the team's biggest star and most vocal leader. Although not a strker, he may very well lead the team in goals this World Cup venture. The Everton middie was second on his club in goals, with 8, and uses his speed and creative ability with the ball to burn by defenders and create opporunities for his teammates. Other players to watch on this dark-horse Socceroo squad are midfielder Brett Emerton, striker Harry Kewell (who is the lone attackman in the starting line up), and defender Craig Moore.

The main question mark for the Aussies is their lack of a top line striker. The 31 year old Kewell has been plagued by injuries for the past few years. As of now he is trying to get back into match fitness from a groin injury. Everyone is Australia is hoping he recovers fully, because if not they will have trouble scoring goals relying on Brett Holman or youngster Nikita Rukavytsya. Harry Kewell is one of the most talented Australian strikers in history, and with this being probably his last World Cup, look for him to score the majority of goals for the Socceroos if healthy.

Group D perhaps could be the toughest foursome to advance from in the entire tournament, but also the most difficult to predict. Germany is favored to win the group, a large part because of their dynamic scoring duo of Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose. The Germans have been ravaged by injuries though, losing captain Michael Ballack along with Christian and Adler Traesch. Ghana is without their superstar Michael Essien, and will have trouble advancing to the next round. The Serbians are experienced and have a good defense, but their midfield is in question and social unrest in their country could prove too much to cope with.

Here at NextGen Sports, we predict Australia to come in second in their group behind Germany, and advance past the round of 16, defeating England, but losing to France in the quarter finals.

-JS