For Spectators, U.S. Open a Destination Even Without Woods

Without specific numbers it's hard to tell, but the reaction of many fans was that though they would have enjoyed seeing Tiger Woods, it wasn't the only reason they came to the 111th U.S. Open at

"We're actually here to see Ryan Palmer," Jeff Ostler said. 

The Open is more than just Woods, said Olster, who came with his son from Amarillo, Texas.

"Tiger's a force, but this is the U.S. Open," he said, echoing the sentiment of golf writer John Feinstein, who said the U.S. Open will

Olster belongs to the same club as Palmer, who finished one-over-par after the third round, and came to cheer him on.

And for Olster, who came to see the Saturday and Sunday rounds and is staying in a downtown D.C. hotel, the trip was a chance to play some golf and see the city as well as take in the Open.

Lyle Niedens and Brian Robinson travelled from Kansas City, Mo. to see the Open and decided to take the trip even after they found out Woods had dropped out of the tournament.

They plan on following Rory McIlroy around Sunday as he led the tournament at 14-under-par after the third round Saturday. McIlroy famously self-destructed at the Masters Tournament this year, another golf major, and Niedens wants to see what he'll do under pressure this time. 

"For his sake I hope he doesn't blow up," Niedens said.

And the young golfers attending the open aren't decked out in Nike Tiger Woods gear the way they have been in the past. In fact, many are wearing the Puma clothing made famous recently by 22-year-old Rickie Fowler. Although he missed the cut after shooting five-over-par through Friday's second round, the crowds following him and fellow Hunter Mahan never dissipated. Hoots and hollers of "Go Rickie" rang through course the way that they usually do for Woods.