Laughter from the 2009 U.S. Open

Rain delays aren't funny, especially at a U.S. Open.

But even with the national championship on the line and the difficulty of Bethpage Black staring them in the face some of the players found an opportunity for humor in the media room this week.

Here's what they said and laughed about.

Kenny Perry on Monday talking about the New York fans who play Bethpage Black on a regular basis and wanted to help him by giving him tips about the gold course.

"The three guys that followed me here (the) last two days on Saturday and Sunday, obviously -- well, we (they) don't play from these tee boxes for one thing."

Perry's response to another reporter's question if he lets the Masters Playoff loss enter his mind?

"It may happen now. You ask the question; it may be there now."

Bronson Burgoon who led Texas A&M to its first national title, the Division I team title a few weeks ago and qualified for the U.S. Open for the first time when asked if he tried to qualify since losing in a playoff at Pinehurst in 2005.

"I lost in a playoff at locals every year since. So it's been awesome."

Masters Champion Angel Cabrera when asked if it would be different if you hadn't won an Open already and the Masters playing with Tiger?

"If I hadn't won a U.S. Open and a Masters I wouldn't be playing with Tiger this week."

Paul Casey when asked a question about how difficult and intimidating Bethpage Black can be:

"This is an exceptional golf course. I would consider living in New York if I could play this for $45."

Casey when asked about his relationship with his coach Peter Kostis:

"He's like my second dad or third dad, I guess. You've got my father-in-law. And he's often said I'm kind of like his third son, sort of the annoying one who doesn't return phone calls."

Sergio Garcia when asked how his emotion and temperament will evolve as he gets near 30:

"Thanks for reminding me."

Anthony Kim who caddied for Justin Timberlake on Bethpage Black in the Golf Digest Challenge with Michael Jordan, Ben Roethlisberger and amateur Larry Giebelhausen:

"I was hoping my guy would win, even though it's about everyone breaking 100. The competitive part of me still wanted Justin to win and beat those guys pretty badly, especially Ben, because he was talking a lot of trash."

Rory McIlroy, age 20, when asked what he remembers from watching the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black:

"I remember it was wet."

Rocco Mediate the 2002 U.S. Open runner-up to Tiger Woods when asked if he feels like he would score better with a couple of more bounces here and there this year?

"It's not (the) bounces. It's (the) putts."

PLAYERS Champion Henrik Stenson when asked about the giant sign on the first tee warning players that Bethpage Black is a difficult course"

"I haven't really played many courses with warning signs. It's more for the ski slopes, isn't it?"

Stenson when asked what he thought New Yorkers in the gallery know about him:

"I don't know. TPC winner. Underwear shot. Normal stuff."

Defending Champion Tiger Woods when asked about the USGA holding back-to-back men and women U.S. Opens at Pinehurst in 2015 and if he sees somebody like Michelle Wie trying to play in both of them and would he be interested?

"I need to have a sex change; is that what you're saying?"

Phil Mickelson when asked how he celebrated his birthday on Tuesday and what did he get this time?

"Yeah, it was tough to top last year's dinosaur."

"We all went to breakfast together. My little favorite breakfast joint. And my kids brought me breakfast in bed first, but then we decided to go out."

Eduardo Romero the U.S. Senior Open Champion when asked if he gave his fellow countryman Masters Champion Angel Cabrera the nickname "Pato" which means duck, he politely explained that everyone in Argentina has a nickname and that it likely came from his family. Then when asked if he thought he walked like a duck he responded:

"Oh, yes, of course. Walking like a duck."

Jeff Brehaut who was one-under after playing 11 holes Thursday morning before rain cancelled the rest of the round:

"I hit a five-wood into 11. I hit a five-wood into 12. I hit a three-wood into 16. I hit a five-wood into 13, the par-five for my third shot. I was hitting some long clubs."

Padraig Harrington on Thursday after play was cancelled for the day:

"I guarantee you they will have a U.S. Open Champion at the end of this week; well, at some stage in the next week."

Keep smiling, keep hoping and with any luck we will be playing the U.S. Open…

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer. He follows the PGA TOUR volunteering for the tournaments and working part time for NBC Sports, CBS Sports, and The Golf Channel. He resides in Jacksonville Beach, Florida near the PGA TOUR headquarters and home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. He enjoys pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it. He can be reached through his website www.MrHickoryGolf.net or by e-mailing him to [e-mail]