I was just 14 when he turned in that amazing 63 at Oakmont. I think it was Dave Marr who said something to the effect of the rain delay couldn't come at a better time for Miller and a lot of the middle of the pack guys, as he was hitting the toughest stretch of holes on the course. "It'll be like throwing darts at some of these," or something to that effect.
Now, if Johnny Miller could direct his venom in the mirror a little, he'd admit that the rain storm the night before (and the brief rain delay during his round on Sunday) helped provide him with the conditions to shoot a lower score. To his credit, though, he was pretty lonely in the 60's that day, I believe, so 63 is still a sick score, no matter how much I dislike the guy. Tee to green there might never be a better round in an Open.
Still, if it isn't for the rain storms, 63 is highly unlikely. No, it doesn't rise to the * occasion; I'm not saying that. I 'm just saying he had a little help. To his credit, I have heard him say it was an almost surreal round for him and that he didn't really putt that well; he just kept his approach shots below the hole, key at any US Open and at that course in particular.
If Nicklaus were in the booth making the comments that Miller does, I think folks would be more likely to have to accept the admonishments, given Jack left nothing to doubt. That Miller does so in such a smug and condescending fashion, even with two majors to his credit, is what so many find galling.
The instructors at AoGD said that the most important time to ignore Miller is when he's trying to give instruction on shot making. He's a left handed guy who played right-handed and has significant weight, stance and swing plane issues as a result. Can't recall if they said grip issues or not, but suffice to say, they think he is to be shunned for nearly every observation he makes.
God, I miss Ken Venturi.
