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THE SHAG BAG

Bill Cooney has covered golf for the Wisconsin State Journal since 2004, including several U.S. Bank Championships, a pair of PGA Championships and a U.S. Senior Open as well as many state and local events. The Appleton native grew up playing Reid Municipal Golf Course -- and still considers its 17th and 18th as some of the state's top finishing holes -- and, when he has the day off, counts on the middle tees, at least one mulligan and an occasional gimme-putt to break 80 at a handful of area golf courses.

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WED., JUL 16, 2008 - 11:23 PM

The Shag Bag: Bank on low scores at U.S. Bank...Maybe a 59

GERMANTOWN -- This isn't exactly breaking news unless you live in a cave, but expect some low scores in Round 1 of the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee Thursday.

I asked a few pros if they thought a 59 -- which would be an 11-under score at Brown Deer Park Golf Course -- is possible this week.

Most stayed away from saying the magic number, but nobody ruled it out.

The rough at Brown Deer Park is unusually thin this week, something I noticed while playing the course last week with my colleague, Rob Hernandez. One of reasons I carded an 83 -- I didn't even hit the ball that well -- was a lack of nasty rough.

It's possible to hit an approach from the rough and stop it on the green from 150 yards. And if I can do it, these guys out here are going to be throwing darts, as they say.

Two years ago, eventual champ Corey Pavin fired a PGA Tour-record 26 on his front nine in the first round. A 35 on the back gave him a 61.

Should be fun...