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CNN Live At Daybreak

Heat is On at U.S. Open Golf Championship

Aired June 14, 2001 - 08:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
NANCY NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's not often that the NBA finals have to share a bit of the spotlight, but they do this weekend.

They're off and running on a mission to capture the 101st U.S. Open golf championship. Sweltering Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma is playing host. The heat is on, literally and figuratively, for those who hope to challenge Mr. Tiger Woods.

With more: CNN Sports Illustrated's John Giannone.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN GIANNONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The final practice rounds, the final driving-range swings: All the preparations are complete for the 101st U.S. Open, which begins on Thursday.

The storylines to watch: Of course, Tiger Woods, who is planning for his fifth straight major championship; also the ridiculous slope on the 18th green that has caught a lot of player's attention; and, of course, the heat, which has been a factor throughout the first three practice rounds.

Temperatures have been in the mid-90s, with very little wind. And that has made for some oppressive conditions. There is a break expected tomorrow: a few degrees cooler. However, there is a chance of rain. And with rain comes humidity. And that could make it feel even warmer. For players like Woods and Mark O'Meara, who live in Florida, David Duval, who grew up in the South, it's not an issue.

But heat has led to speculation that one group could be at a distinct disadvantage.

TIGER WOODS, DEFENDING U.S. OPEN CHAMPION: I think the guys who play on the European Tour don't have to face this type of climate, no doubt about that, not on a daily basis.

I live in Florida. And this is normal in the summertime. This is what we face for three, four months of the year -- sometimes worse than this. The guys who play in Europe don't really have that.

ROCCO MEDIATE, PGA TOUR PLAYER: The players who are in the best physical condition don't care about heat. Those guys over in Europe, the guys that are in great shape, this is not going to bother them. But, you know, if you are not in great shape, it is going to wear you down more. I mean, I've been there, so I know.

(LAUGHTER)

SERGIO GARCIA, PGA TOUR PLAYER: As hot as it is, it kind of almost gets into your head. And it's kind of like uncomfortable when you start sweating. And because it's humid, the shirt kind of gets stuck on your body.

GIANNONE: So heat only the latest obstacle for European players to overcome -- remember, a European player has not won this event since Tony Jacklin 31 years ago. The European players with the best chance this weekend: Sergio Garcia, who won his first event in the United States four weeks ago; Bernhard Langer, who has five top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour; and Thomas Bjorn, who will play alongside Woods in the first two rounds, a player who beat Woods in Dubai three months ago.

At the U.S. Open in Tulsa, I'm John Giannone.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWMAN: Thank you, John Giannone.

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