115th United States Open Preview
The second major of the year is upon us and this year's US Open is full of "firsts". First Open to be conducted at Chambers Bay. First Open to be televised by FOX. An American Open played on a links style golf course. In a way, America's oldest major championship will experience a sort of re-birth in the Pacific Northwest.
The Course
As golf courses go, Chambers Bay is an infant, which makes it's selection as the host course for the United States Open just a bit curious. For years, the USGA conducted it's grandest national championship at the most storied clubs in America: Shinnecock, Oak Hill, Oakland Hills, etc. In the last decade or so, the USGA has added new courses to it's "traditional" rotation with additions such as Torrey Pines, Bethpage Black, and now Chambers Bay.
Chambers Bay, located in University Place, Washington, is only eight (8) years old. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones and is a Par 72. Notable characteristics, which will undoubtedly be touted during the coverage this week includes the existence of only one (1) tree on the course and it's links style layout which is a departure from the traditional course designs which have historically conducted the US Open.
A group of players teeing it up this week have already played the course under championship conditions when Chambers Bay hosted the 2010 US Amateur. Players who competed in the 2010 Amateur may have a leg up on the field who will try to figure out the nuances of the multi-tiered greens and the undulating slopes of the fairways and rough. Peter Uihlein, who won the 2010 United States Amateur, told Golf Digest that the players would have to be creative in their approach.
Golfweek has an outstanding breakdown of each hole at Chambers Bay complete with par and yardages. Here are just a few holes which B&B thinks will be of particular interest this week.
Hole 1: Par 4/5.
There are two (2) holes this week which can play as either a Par 4 or a Par 5 depending on how Mike Davis wants to set up the course for that day. The opening hole is one of those holes which can be stretched all the way to 596 yards.
Holes 4-7 (Par 4)
The combined length of these four (4) holes is 1,986 yards or an average of 496.5 yards per hole. Altitude aside, that is a monster stretch of long par 4's. And while most of the attention for for ridiculous Par 4 yardage will go to No. 14, it should not be underscored what a tough stretch 4-7 will be. Length off the tee and a strong iron game will be key for the players this week. Those who cannot torch it 300+ yards will be facing long iron shots into very difficult greens.
Hole No. 12 (Par 4)
No. 12 is a driveable Par 4 which maxes out at 311 yards. This is reachable for all of the long hitters on tour. These holes are exciting for viewers and spectators. They are the ultimate risk/reward and it's placement on the back nine could provide some weekend intrigue.
Hole No. 14 (Par 4)
Most amateur players would tremble at the notion of playing a 546 yard Par 5, let alone, a 546 yard Par 4. A 300 yard drive still leaves an approach shot of 246 yards into the green. An enviable task even assuming the greens are largely flat with few tiers. The greens at Chambers Bay are anything but. I wouldn't expect the USGA to have the tees anywhere near 546...unless the scores start to get too low.
Hole 18 (Par 4/5)
Just like hole No. 1, the finishing hole at Chambers Bay can be flipped between a Par 4 or a Par 5. 18 is a massive hole and will feature a large grandstand leading up to the 18th hole which will have an Open Championship feel with the eventual victor arriving to the 72nd hole to a large ovation of spectators and fans.
Broadcast Information
Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated has prepared a comprehensive viewing guide to the United States Open which is worth reading.
As noted above, FOX begins it's broadcast debut of the US Open and all USGA championships this year. The lead crew will be Joe Buck and Greg Norman. Buck is extremely polarizing with viewers either really enjoying him or really hating him (the scale typically tilts towards the hating side). Norman is new to broadcasting but if you're looking for insight to his style, just consider the fact that this was Norman celebrating with his 60th birthday gift.
Joining Buck and Norman will be Steve Flesch, and Brad Faxon. Julie Inskter, Scott McCarron, and Heidi Montag Holly Sonders will be on-course reporters. Shane O'Donoghue will be handling hosting duties.
FOX has big shoes to fill replacing the venerable broadcast that NBC put on for years. The USGA's move to FOX was well chronicled when it happened and left many in the golf community scratching their heads.
To FOX's credit, they will have wire to wire coverage of the event beginning Thursday with coverage starting at 12:00 PM EST and going until 8:00 PM EST on FOX Sports 1 and then moving over to FOX from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The weekend coverage will also be featured in prime time. Featured groups and the traditional broadcast can also be viewed on the Fox Sports Go app.
Who Will Win?
It is extremely difficult to handicap a field playing an unknown golf course. Course designer Robert Trent Jones Jr has stated that he does not believe the course will be subject to strong winds this week and the forecast is not calling for any severe bouts of rain. Here are four (4) players who may have what it takes to win the 115th United States Open
Phil Mickelson
Players are almost universally declaring that a strong and creative short game will be a must to win this week. Mickelson has both. While his game has not been as strong in the last couple of years, Mickelson seems to show flashes of brilliance in the majors. This is also the major which Mickelson wants the most and has escaped him in the past. It would complete the career grand slam, something which Mickelson desperately wants.
Justin Rose
Rose nearly joined the multiple-win group this year finishing second in a playoff at the Memorial Tournament and winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Rose has already won a US Open and has all the requisite tools to win again.
Jordan Spieth
A favorite of nearly every analyst is Jordan Spieth. While he doesn't hit it as far off the tee as his contemporaries, Spieth is special. He won the Masters on the strength of his outstanding putting and if that continues this week, Spieth could be a factor come Sunday.
This is a great four (4) days for golf junkies. Sit back and enjoy the best in the world making incredible shots, and struggling just like you do during you Tuesday league at your local muni.
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