Official Web Site of the 2006 U.S. Senior Open | Dave Marr’s Prairie Home Diary: Day Two

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Dave Marr's Prairie Home Diary: Day Two

Dave Marr Jr., son of 1965 PGA Championship winner Dave Marr, is a broadcaster for The Golf Channel and covers the Champion's Tour. He shares his thoughts this week with www.ussenioropen.com.

There is no substitute for experience, and that truism is especially sound at USGA championships. This year's Champions Tour has been dominated by the youngsters: Brad Bryant, Jay Haas and Loren Roberts. Eight wins in 15 events among those three, yet at the U.S. Senior Open, four of the top five players will be 55 or older by year's end. Mark James will be 53. Fifty-five used to be the glass ceiling for victories on this tour; not so it seems at Prairie Dunes.

Tom Watson's 66 was the round of the morning, matched in the afternoon by Peter Jacobsen. Jake's first major championship win came two years ago in the Senior Open at Bellerive Country Club. Watson has a USGA title, courtesy of his victory at a famous links-style course in 1982. That U.S. Open at Pebble Beach saw Watson hit one of the most dramatic shots in golf history, chipping in on the 71^st hole to fend off Jack Nicklaus. Imagine the reaction if the two-time Senior Open runner-up could win this championship in this part of the country. On Golf Central tonight we chronicle Watson's fully requited affection for Kansas golf fans.

One story that won't make air is about a woman who became a lifelong Watson fan in 1985 when the hall of fame golfer helped the stranger over a wall and onto the field after the Royals World Series win so that she could celebrate. Also in Watson's gallery were fans who brought children and grandchildren to watch the native son play.

Also tonight, on The Golf Channel's Post-game show, we chat with Fred Funk, whose scores through two rounds weren't what he expected. But after a quick lunch and a return to the practice green with his wife Sharon and children, Taylor and Perri, look for Funk to have a solid weekend. He thinks he's out of the hunt, but one good round and who knows.

As the winds pick up and the fairways and greens become firmer, this Perry Maxwell test seems destined to once again identify a true champion.


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