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No Reason To Bother

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 14, 2008

There is only one player left with a chance this year to sweep the Grand Slam.

That would be Masters champ Trevor Immelman.

Excuse him, however, if he has not put much thought into it.

"No, I would be the happiest guy on earth if I did it over the span of a career," he said. "We can safely say that if I do it this year I will retire, OK? There's no chance of that. I haven't not even for one second thought about that, no."

Missing In Action

Angel Cabrera will not continue defending the U.S. Open title he won last year. Cabrera shot a 13-over over 79-76-155 to miss the cut.

Bittersweet Return

Eric Axley's play through two days, rounds of 69 and 79 to make the cut at 6 over, is a bit bittersweet.

He's enjoying the good play, but the week at Torrey Pines brings a downside.

The last time the native of Athens, Tenn., was at Torrey Pines, it was for February's Buick Invitational. During that time, he was forced to deal with the tragedy of caddie Steve Duplantis being struck and killed by a taxi after stepping off the raised center median while crossing a street in Del Mar. Duplantis was living in Plant City at the time.

Axley has been reluctant to speak of the incident, but he said the memory has been on his mind this week.

"Anyone who has ever lost someone who is close to them knows what that's like," he said. "He was a good friend, a good person and someone who had a huge heart. It was tough out there when I started thinking about it ... He was with me out there."

Slim Phil

Phil Mickelson appears to be muscling up.

Often the target of jokes directed at a pudgy physique, Mickelson showed up for this week's U.S. Open wearing some of the tightest shirts that have even been seen on him, and his biceps are bulging.

Even move impressive, no love handles.

Take Aim

Early in the week, a number of players suggested 5 or 6 under would be a good target score.

With leader Stuart Appleby 3 under after 36 holes, it is starting to look unlikely, but Luke Donald isn't too sure.

"It is still possible, I suppose," he said. "The greens haven't gotten too firm yet, and they have kept them where you can control the ball into them. Four or five would be a very good score, and if you can post that, then I think there is a good chance you'll walk away with the trophy."

Sergio Believes

It did not look good for Sergio Garcia, the world's best player never to have won a major, after one round. A 5-over 76 left him far back in the field. But he's back in the game after Friday's 70.

After going 6 over for the first seven holes on Thursday, he has played the last 29 at 2 under.

What happened?

"Mainly the way I looked at the shots," he said. "I am much more aggressive now over shots when I was hitting it to the safe sides. I was making sure it was going there."

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