PINEHURST, NC - As the years second major tees off on Thursday morning, here are a few things to consider: The Golf Course For the first time since the Second World War, there is no rough at the national championship. Under Armour Clearance Sale . Instead, there is whats being called Native Areas. This is how Donald Ross created the course and this is how Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore restored it.Rather than being one-dimensional and having to hack it out of the rough, hitting it off the fairway now means a bit of a lottery. You might end up with a perfectly clean, if somewhat sandy lie or you could end up in a tangle of the wiregrass. If that happens, its like old times and youll be hacking out to the fairway. Depending on whom you talk to, its either a 50-50 or 60-40 or 80-20 situation that youll get a good result in the scrub.It will make for some interesting times. The Phil FactorWe all know that Phil has been runner-up at the U.S. Open six times and that the first of those came here, at Pinehurst back in 1999. We also know that he wants to win this tournament more than any other, to complete the Grand Slam. But we also know that Phil hasnt played very well this year and has struggled on the greens to the point that hes changed his grip coming into this week. Hell use the claw grip, which he says is better for the six to eight footers that will be key for this week. As much as Phil will tell you everything is great, that he loves the course, that his game is coming around, you have to think that the odds arent in his favour here. Oh CanadaGraham DeLaet will complete the Grand Slam here this week – not in terms of winning but just teeing it up in his fourth major. Sometimes we forget that hes still learning his chops in the majors and its a big step up to the majors. Yes, he is ultra-talented with a game that is suited well to this type of set up. In some ways, what he doesnt know may actually help him. In golf sense, DeLaet will always live and die by his putter and this week he is also going with a new putter grip, adopting a left-hand-low style that he says is working for him. History is not on his side this week – the last time a first-time entrant won the Open was way back in 1913. Of course streaks are made to be broken. WeatherRight now, Pinehurst No. 2 is baked out and dry. There is lots of run in the course and the greens are firm. But the weather forecast is for rain over the next four days, (although so far, predictions of rain havent materialized). If that comes true, it will, as Rory McIlroy said, take the fire out of the course. It will aid the longer hitters and, if there are delays, make it tougher on those who have little patience. In short, it will change the number of golfers who can win this tournament and thats why a handful of players are doing the rain dance here this week. ImaginationIts a buzz word in golf. Along with creativity. But here at Pinehurst, there really is a need to think about just how youre going to hit a shot. With so many run-off areas around the greens, youre going to have to find the right way to get the ball close to the hole. So that means a) putting it up; b) chipping it close; c) use a hybrid to bump it; or d) some other club to get it close.The guy who puts its beside the cup will be deemed the most imaginative golfer of the week (instead of the champion golfer of the year). GreensThe greens at Pinehurst No. 2 arent necessarily small in overall size, but the effective area that can be used is tiny. In fact, on some of them, less than 25 per cent of the overall space can be used for a pin. These are not unlike Augusta Nationals putting surfaces, where hitting the right area – not just the green -- is a requirement. Some are more generous than others while a few are absolutely diabolical. McIlroy said the second is just such a green. He estimated that less than 20 per cent of the field will hit that green in regulation. Who Will Win?The golfer who will win this week is one who can drive it long as the course has some length. And it will be the player who can loft it way up in the air, as youll need some height to hold the greens. And it will be the player who has some creativity (see above) for those missed green recovery shots, and it will be the golfer who has a hot putter. Put those all together and I think your winner will be . . . Sergio Garcia. (Second choice – Jason Day) Under Armour Shoes Wholesale . PETERSBURG, Fla. Cheap Under Armour Shoes China . His stated reason for abruptly resigning as head coach of Canadas Olympic womens hockey team was he felt there were doubts about his ability to coach the team to Olympic gold in February. http://www.underarmourcheapsale.com/ . Bayern led second-place Leverkusen by 10 points with a game in hand, while Dortmund was another four points off the pace. Freiburg midfielder Felix Klaus scored in the last minute as his side twice came from behind to climb provisionally out of the relegation zone.MK Dons midfielder Samir Carruthers has apologised for his behaviour at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday. The 22-year-old, who has been fined two weeks wages and banned for one match by the Championship club, was photographed alongside Northampton striker James Collins and Bristol City defender Luke Ayling.Other images appear to show a glass of liquid being poured over the railing by Collins as Carruthers, wearing a grey flat cap and waistcoat, grins. The Republic of Ireland U21 international told Sky Sports News HQ: I just want to say Im sorry to everyone, my family, the club, chairman, the gaffer. Ive not been raised up to do something like that and Ive let everyone down. Ive let the community down and Ive let Milton Keynes down and I have to take the criticism that comes with it. Its not something that should be laughed about.Its not an example I should be giving to kids either. Im meant to be a role model and I have to live by my actions now and I really am hurt by what Ive done. It was a silly mistake and I just have to take everything that comes with it.The manager and chairman are obviously very let down and Im being disciplined for it. They had faith in me not to do something like that so I feel like Ive let them down massively. But its not just them, Ive let down the whole team, my team-mates, everyone. And Im really sorry to Cheltenham as well because they let me in and stuff and I obviously embarrassed everyone.After conducting an investigation into the incident, MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman said Carruthers behaviour had been unacceptable.In a statement, he said: I have today met with Samir Carruthers, the executive management team and Karl (Robinson) at stadiummk. I came to the meeting very angry and concerned as we have put huge effort into building a family-friendly reputation at MK Dons.However, it was clear Samir was sincere, contrite and all-encompassing with his apology. He has also taken full responsibility for his behaviour and understands the damage he has caused to his own and the clubs reputation.Obviously, his actions are still unacceptable and, as a result, he has been disciplined. Samir has received a warning, been fined two weeks wages and handed a suspension by the club, which is inclusive of this Saturdays Sky Bet Championship fixture with Brighton & Hove Albion. Samir will learn from this says MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman As a young man, Samir will learn from the incident and we hope, now, everyone can move on from this. Discount Under Armour Shoes. arruthers, who has made 100 appearances for the Dons since joining from Aston Villa in 2014, has accepted the punishment and will not be appealing.Collins, who is on loan from Shrewsbury, has been fined two weeks wages and warned about his future conduct by his parent club.In a statement, released by the League One side, he said: I cannot apologise enough for my actions and the pictures from my visit to Cheltenham Races yesterday. I have completely let myself, my family, the fans, and the two clubs that I represent down and I am sorry to everyone involved. MK Dons are investigating the behaviour of one of their players at the Cheltenham Festival My actions are not excusable and while the pictures are rather misleading in that there were not people below this balcony and it was only a grassed area there is still no defence to what happened.While there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing from Ayling, Bristol City said in a statement: We are aware of the disappointing images from the Cheltenham Festival that have been printed in various national newspapers this morning.We will be speaking to the players concerned and will take appropriate action where necessary. Also See: Collins fined over antics Ayling sorry for Cheltenham caper China NFL Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Online Stitched Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Football Jerseys Outlet College Jerseys For Sale Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys For Sale Wholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '