New York fans may be a factor

Colin Montgomerie had just brushed past the autograph seeker, who apparently didn't notice the ``Be Nice to Monty'' buttons being worn by the Scotsman's playing partners.

``I hope you miss the cut,'' the man yelled at Montgomerie.

Montgomerie ignored the man, who continued to express his displeasure to those around him beside the 18th green.

Welcome to golf with an attitude, New York style. At the U.S. Open, players not only have to deal with a brutal golf course but also fans who have opinions about everything and aren't afraid to express them.

``They like to talk, there's no doubt about it,'' Sergio Garcia said. ``That's the way New Yorkers are.''

Montgomerie may be an easy target, but he's not the only one. Fans crowding the Bethpage Black course usually have something to say about -- and to -- almost every player who comes by.

Nothing, it seems, is off limits. From Montgomerie's weight to the lack of follicles on Jim Furyk's head, it's all in play.

``I've played this course more times than he has hair on his head,'' a fan said as Furyk walked down the first fairway in a practice round.

Like most New Yorkers, golf fans at Bethpage aren't afraid to cheer or jeer. The jeers were aimed at more than a few players. The cheers went to Tiger Woods, who drew huge throngs of fans elbowing each other to try to get a glimpse of the world's best player.

``Ti-guh! Ti-guh!'' they chanted as Woods crossed a street on No. 14 and arrived on the 15th tee to wild cheers.

When there was a backup on No. 17, someone shouted, ``Over here!'' and Woods did a 360-degree turn as if he were modeling clothes.

All this before the tournament had even started.

``It's really going to be interesting late in the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday, especially when the heat and humidity and beverage of their choice have taken effect,'' Woods said.

That could be a wild scene indeed, especially with Woods contending for the lead among 50,000 fans jammed on the Long Island course. Open officials increased security this year, with Woods getting five armed guards and other selected groups walking with at least two gun-toting officers.

By then, at least, fans won't be seeking autographs, as they did in between tees in the practice rounds, shoving out hats and flags as they competed with each other to get a few precious signatures.

``I must have worn out two Sharpies (pens),'' defending champion Retief Goosen said after a practice round.

Though some of the talk is pointed, most is in good humor. But the crowd's constant buzz makes it noisier than most tournaments.

Some of the talk comes from fans who have played the public course -- and perhaps have slept in their cars overnight to get tee times.

``What I've heard a lot of is, `Hey, I'd like to see you play after spending the night in the car,''' Phil Mickelson said. ``That seems to be a common thing.''

Davis Love III said fans feel a kinship with the course, one of five at Bethpage.

``They're thrilled because they know the golf course better than we do. They've played the golf course a lot and they call it their course,'' he said. ``Everybody out here feels like this course belongs to them.''

Montgomerie found that out during his practice round when he hit a tee shot close on the par-3 17th hole and a fan yelled out: ``Was that a 4-iron Monty?''

Montgomerie turned, eyed the fan sternly, and said ``Yes,'' before he and playing partners Thomas Bjorn and Darren Clarke began laughing.

Bjorn and Clarke were wearing buttons on their hats that read ``Be Nice to Monty.'' They were part of a campaign by Golf Digest to make Montgomerie, who has had several run-ins with American fans, feel more comfortable in front of some of the sport's rowdiest fans.

A few other players, including Nick Faldo, wore ``I Love New York'' slogans on their hats.

``I'm actually delighted with the crowd reaction so far,'' Montgomerie said. ``The big test is if I start off with a 65 or something. Then we'll see how they act.''

Two-time Open champion Lee Janzen said he actually looks forward to playing in front of crowds who show their emotion.

``I like playing in New York. They're just a little more forward here than they are in other places,'' Janzen said. ``I guess that comes from living with so many people so close by. Your privacy is gone. There's no reservedness in New York. It's hard to be private when you're living with 18 million people.''

Long Island native Chris DiMarco agreed.

``Nothing wrong with having a good time, screaming and yelling at good shots,'' he said.