Five things we learned at the U.S. Women’s Open

Bob Weeks

TSN Senior Reporter

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1. The USGA can’t seem to get away from controversy

After the debacle at the men’s U.S. Open last month, officials with the United States Golf Association said they’d learned their lesson and would not leave players in limbo due to a ruling.

That was certainly the case when Anna Nordqvist was docked two shots for a microscopic movement of three grains of sand in a fairway bunker during the playoff.

Two problems: first, it was only seen through the high-definition cameras of Fox Sports. Even Nordqvist wasn’t aware she’d moved any of the grains of sand. Second, officials delivered the news at different times to different players. Nordqvist was told after her third shot, Brittany Lang before. Lang acknowledged that she played a safer shot for her third after receiving the news. Oh, and it took them too long to inform them in the first place.

I’m thinking maybe two or three more of these situations and the USGA should have it all figured out. Then again. . .

2. You should be able to learn people’s names in, oh, half an hour or so, right?

At the men’s U.S. Open, Diana Murphy stumbled her way through the victory presentation speech. But it was nothing compared to what she did at the Women’s Open. Murphy referred to winner Brittany Lang as “Bethany” not once, not twice but three separate times.

As soon as the playoff started, Murphy only needed to learn two names – Brittany and Anna. She could have written them down, maybe in Sharpie on her palm.

Poor Brittany – the greatest moment of her career and she gets introduced as if she’s just been plucked out of a casting call.

It’s one reason why other associations (see tennis, Wimbledon) use professionals to emcee their presentations and keep bumbling presidents around for better-suited tasks, like handing out the hardware to the winner and smiling for photos.

3. Brooke Henderson needs a break

The U.S. Open was Brooke Henderson’s eight consecutive week on tour. The only people who play eight straight, are those chasing a tour card at the end of the season and have no options but to keep playing. Henderson doesn’t need to do that, obviously.

This tournament is also the toughest grind mentally, wearing and tearing at your brain as great shots aren’t always rewarded, time and again. There were times during her four rounds when the Smiths Falls Sensation looked positively flustered. Not many, but you don’t often see her this way at all.

Henderson was setting off to Ohio to play the next LPGA Tour stop and then will take a week off. But during that week, she has a couple of sponsor obligations, meaning she’ll still be working.

Sometimes less is more and Henderson’s team needs to tell her that. She needs a week at the cottage or something similar where there are no golf courses.

4. Alena Sharp is on the cusp of great things

After posting her career-best finish in a major, Alena Sharp is brimming with confidence. She’s put in a lot of hard work this year, training in the gym, working on course with coach Tristan Mullally, and getting her head in shape with a sports psychologist.

It’s all starting to pay off. Her tie for 21st is her fourth top-25 finish in the last five starts. The 11-year veteran told me after the round that she thinks she can medal at Rio, adding, she didn’t feel that way at the start of the year.

I think Sharp has earned the right to have a little swagger in her step. She’s playing consistent golf and getting into the heat of the battle more often than before in her career. In fact, I think it would help her to have an extra dollop of swagger.

And don’t be surprised if she ends up on the podium in Rio. She’s playing that well right now.

5. The women are really embracing the Olympics

None of the top women in the game are opting out of the Olympics in Rio. Teams will be finalized tomorrow and most of the players I spoke with can’t wait to go.

So why are they all in and the men not?

When I asked that question to a number of players it seemed to come down to money. Most of the women see the Olympics as an opportunity: a way to play for their country, to enhance their profile, and take part in the Olympic experience.

They say the men don’t really need the hassle, at least the ones that are taking a pass. And, they say, playing for all the loot at the FedEx Cup is probably more important to many of them.

I like the attitude of the women far more than the men who have taken a pass.