Top stars beat the queues
Top professional golfers live pampered lives but there is one extra little luxury they've come to appreciate at the US Open here - they don't have to queue for up to 30 hours to play the Black Course at Bethpage State Park.
That wait has become the norm this year as golf fans seek to play the only municipal course to host America's national major. New Yorkers can strike irons off the same fairways as Tiger Woods and stroke putts on the same greens as defending champion Retief Goosen, for just £22 weekdays and £29 at weekends.
Over 280,000 rounds a year are played on the five courses that comprise the Bethpage complex, some 35,000 of them on the most difficult Black Course. These 18 holes are so popular that it is a case of first come, first served.
Fans at practice this week have let the pros know how lucky they are. World No2 Phil Mickelson said: "What I've heard a lot of is, 'Hey, I'd like to see you play after spending the night in your car!' I guess we are lucky."
