Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Michael Block signs an autograph for David Ross, 8, from Fairfax Station, Virginia after Block completed a practice round yesterday at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club while his father, Todd Ross, 45, looks on.

By Chico Harlan, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

U.S. Open practice rounds exist for perhaps only two reasons, autographs and practice, though Tiger Woods and George Marshalek would list those priorities in opposite order.

	Bob Donaldson, Post-Gazette Zach Johnson (L) and Stewart Cink discuss tee shots on the ninth hole at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club yesterday. Click photo for larger image. More coverage Aggressive play on Oakmont's No. 17 could be costly choice For Phil Mickelson, it's all in the wrist Bob Smizik: Tiger is primed to win again, and that's good news for golf U.S. Open Notebook: Defending champion praises 'hardest course' Change in parking procedure today Jim Weathers: 'Muscle man' helps golfers turn on their power Volunteer Spotlight: Meyers family celebrates wedding anniversary during Open week as they help tournament Oakmont-inspired Stimpmeter allows USGA to accurately measure speed, consistency of putting surfaces Golf fans subjected to strict etiquette PLUS: Click to view video report PG Golf Writer Gerry Dulac wraps up the day's developments at Oakmont yesterday, with an update on Mickelson and Woods. Video: Arnold Palmer at Oakmont Blog: Rough Shots Your Guide to the U.S. Open Our U.S. Open section

Mr. Marshalek, 18, arrived yesterday at Oakmont Country Club armed with several commemorative flags, some Masters memorabilia, a Tiger Woods-style Nike hat and a bunch of old Sports Illustrated magazines, each with a cover shot of a PGA player. He packed the items into a backpack and passed through the course gates at 10:30 a.m. -- the start of a business day, he reasoned.

He doesn't like golf.

"We'd rather watch 'Days of Our Lives,' " said the friend who joined him.

Mr. Woods, renowned for his locked focus, began his practice round at 7 a.m., uninterested in signing. Those who approached him beforehand, with the full Tiger-watching horde yet to form, received no acknowledgement.

"Didn't even look up," said Ben Rath of Cranberry.

Around noon, as Mr. Woods neared the 18th green, Mr. Rath and Mr. Marshalek, among many others, created a swarm of autograph-seeking hopefuls.

Said Mr. Rath: "We're hoping he'll be in a better mood."

This week at Oakmont -- particularly during the practice rounds, which conclude today -- autograph-seeking becomes the secondary sport. The basics, for fans, are simple: stand, wait, hope. Of course, veteran autograph-seekers abide by personal codes of strategy, some of which they won't discuss, fearing disclosure of trade secrets.

Mr. Marshalek, a graduate of North Allegheny High School, lamented that his 12-year-old brother couldn't make it to the course, on account of a basketball camp. In a crowd, a child with a smile stands a better chance.

When Mr. Woods arrived at the 18th green, those hoping for pro golf's Powerball signature congested along the ropes barricading the clubhouse. At no other place on the course could players and spectators mix so closely. Golfers leaving the final green, walking toward the clubhouse or heading toward the practice green, passed through; almost every player spent at least several minutes holding a pen.

If Mr. Marshalek received Mr. Woods' signature -- "a 2 percent chance," he said, minutes before the moment of truth -- he'd sell it on eBay. Same with the other autographs he'd collected -- at the moment, more than 40.

He planned to return home and set up an online auction that would end Sunday night, just hours after the U.S. Open crowned a champion. A winner's signature might fetch $400 or $500, Mr. Marshalek said. "It's like a hobby for me," he said, "but it's one you get paid to do."

Official U.S. Open information advises spectators not to approach a golfer for autographs between the time he begins his round and ends it. The practice range and practice green, too, are off-limits.

Because collecting only a few signatures can require hours of waiting, the Open autograph scene attracts more golf purists than signature hawks. But by yesterday afternoon, many had already picked up some secrets.

"Be aggressive," said Fred Eshelman of Fort Myers, Fla., standing with his grandson, Justin Fiorillo, 12. "That's what I tell him. Take that hat and shake it."

Another tip: Know the players well enough to start a quick conversation. Know something about the player's hometown, or his interests, or his recent tournament wins. When Chris DiMarco passed through Autograph Row in the morning, Mr. Eshelman asked the University of Florida grad how he thought the Gators would be this year. Mr. DiMarco signed.

"In many ways," said J.J. Henry, on the PGA Tour since 2001, "we're entertainers. Especially for the kids, I'll sign. Because I remember being in their shoes, going to tournaments. Some of that stuff, like from a PGA [event] in 1986, I still have."

By the time Mr. Woods completed his round, the row of autograph-seekers was four or five deep. Security stiffened. Fans whispered their guesses about how he'd emerge.

But Mr. Woods never appeared, heading instead to the practice range. With the realization, the crowd groaned.