Golf Links: Saturday, June 3 news and updates

Golf Links connects you to the Saturday’s major golf news stories and events.

The ProGolfNow Golf Links column provides a quick way to get your Saturday morning golf news and stay on top of the game, wherever it’s being played.

Let’s start with the tournaments in progress this week on the European Tour, the LPGA, and the PGA TOUR.

Going into the Weekend

Jamie Donaldson is going into the weekend at the European Tour’s Nordea Masters with a two shot lead but the field tossed the lead around like a hot potato throughout the second round. At one point or another during Friday’s round Max Orrin, Graeme Storm, Benjamin Hebert, Austin Connelly, Thorbjørn Olesen and Chris Wood all had a piece of the lead.

Local favorites Alex Noren and Henrik Stenson, going into the weekend at 1-under par and trailing Donaldson by seven shots, aren’t likely to take home the hardware this week. Golf Channel begins Nordea Masters third round coverage Saturday morning at 7am ET so if you’re a European Tour fan you can catch the Barsebäck action before you head out for your own round.

Closer to home, defending champion Anna Nordqvist is going into the weekend at the ShopRite LPGA Classic at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Resort Bay Course with a one-shot lead. We could see this one turn around more than once during moving day because some of the Tour’s stronger players are pushing Nordqvist hard. The Tour’s Adam Stanley hits the first round highlights. Golf Channel begins coverage of the ShopRite second round at 3pm ET. Keep an eye on Stacy Lewis. I have a feeling she’s going to be the big mover.

Someone put a firecracker under Jason Dufner at the Memorial. ProGolfNow’s Luke Norris thinks The Duf may be on fire this week! Maybe, but maybe not. Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth are close enough to make a move if Dufner can’t sustain his momentum. Golf Channel begins 3rd round coverage at 12:30am ET and will replay the 3rd round at 7pm ET for those of you who have a dogfight scheduled Saturday afternoon.

Tiger’s Troubles

Within the golf world, Tiger’s troubles continue to evoke considerable commentary, much of it now thankfully shifting away from and reacting against the salacious publication and endless replaying of the police video clips of Tiger’s arrest. Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard explores some of the legal options Tiger may have as his case moves through the adjudication process. And Golf Digest’s Brian Wacker is taking up the subject of Tiger’s prescription medicines and the twin problems of drug interactions and side effects. Tiger’s problem is far more common than many realize and if any good can come from this tragic situation it may well be a heightened attention to over-medication, both within and beyond the world of pro golf.

Perhaps more significant than the sports writers’ shift, however, is a growing support for Tiger from among the men with whom he has competed.

Like Jack Nicklaus, who was first to call for compassion, Martin Kaymer is also speaking out in support of Tiger.

And Gary Player has also taken to Twitter to neutralize the very negative images and commentary that emerged immediately following Tiger’s arrest last Monday.

Moving Toward Erin Hills

Elsewhere in the golf world, preparations for the 117th U.S. Open continue. Golf Digest’s Dave Shedloski reports that while most of his challengers are sharpening their weapons and their swings at Muirfield Village or Barsebäck, Dustin Johnson is at Erin Hills. Well, that’s one way to deal with a missed cut!

The Erin Hills rough is getting quite a bit of attention. It’s thick and nasty and according to CBS’s Kyle Porter it’s impossible to escape. Here’s what it looks like from Wesley Bryan’s vantage point as he tries to get out of it. Yikes!

The U.S. Open field may be fondly reminiscing about the Chambers Bay greens before the 117th Open is over!

Next: U.S. Open: Top 10 sleepers for Erin Hills

Well, everybody except Ian Poulter, who may or may not manage to get in the U.S. Open field. Poulter withdrew from the Memphis qualifier and is going to hope for a high finish at the FedEx St. Jude Classic to boost his OWGR standing (he needs to get into the top 60 and he’s not close). If that doesn’t work out for Poulter he can always enter the Woburn qualifier.