Bravery? Or foolhardy? We’ll soon see. If the USGA’s decision in bringing this 115th edition of the US Open to a new, links-style course crafted out of a gravel pit was a bold one, with the likelihood that Chambers Bay will ask serious questions of players’ shot-making and probably more importantly their mental fortitude, ultimately someone will be its master. There’s always one last man standing.
This time, though, there is something different; something for everyone to ponder. It’s almost as if those with eyes on the grand prize have to unravel a puzzle within a conundrum. Do you fly the ball through the air? Do you slingshot it along the ground? Do you use lofted wedges around the greens? Or do you putt from the run offs? Questions, questions, everywhere.
One thing is for sure, the course – with its burnt-out fescue grasses and rock-hard, viciously undulating greens – has had players second-guessing their way through the practice rounds. Now, it is time for those questions to be answered in the only way that matters, by putting numbers into boxes and adding them up. Or, as Henrik Stenson put it: "Instead of spending too much time trying to figure it out, I'm just going to go out and do a good 72-hole tournament, staying patient."
Patience
Whether or not Stenson’s decision to leave it to when it truly matters in tournament play proves wise or not, he is right on one point: patience will be key, almost like a 15th club to players. In practice, the sight of players shaking their heads as balls have alternatively swung off greens down run-offs or gone the other way towards the flag depending on the kick has been only too common. On other times, balls landing on canted fairways have simply kicked away and run into heavy rough.
“There’s a few holes which have me thinking, ‘wow, this could be really carnage’,” admitted Graeme McDowell, adding: “I definitely think there’s going to be a lot of annoyance factor going on the next few days.”
The fairways – rock-hard, which led some to bounce balls and catch them through practice to demonstrate the similarity to concrete – also blend in with the greens to the point that green staff have painted little white dots to provide definition between where the putting surfaces start.
On the upside, this course isn't all hardship. For one, the fairways are wide almost to the point of generosity and there will be bombers in the field – among them Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson and their ilk – who have spent the last few days licking their lips in anticipation of how they can get an edge on the field by driving their way beyond trouble and having shorter irons in their hands for approach shots.
Tiger Woods, no longer the main man but desperate to restore some of his old lustre, didn't entirely go along with the theory that the big-hitters would have it all their own way.
He knows only too well that the USGA has it in its powers to tweak and change the course setup, and especially here with so many tee box options and even two holes – the first and 18th – alternating between par four and par five during tournament play.
Level the field
Where Rickie Fowler felt that rolling up to a new course levelled the field, McIlroy felt it worked the other way; akin to separating the wheat from the chaff. "It'll reward people that are hitting good golf shots and are confident and their short games are sharp," remarked McIlroy which, as things stand, would rule out a certain Mr Woods following his last-place finish at The Memorial.
Will someone buck McIlroy’s theory? For sure, given the newness of the course and the uniqueness of the challenge, someone unexpected could emerge. Yet, the likelihood is that it is someone who has been around the block, someone who has learnt the art of finishing the deal, who will triumph.
For Phil Mickelson, it is the chance to close out on a career Grand Slam. For Jordan Spieth, who provided a masterclass in winning the Masters at Augusta, it is the chance to keep his best for the Majors. And, indeed, Spieth has additional help in that task with his caddie Michael Greller – a local – knowing the lay of the land better than anyone. Another intriguing player-caddie deal concerns Adam Scott, with the struggling Australian resuming his relationship with Steve Williams. "Hopefully the old spark lights up again, as I am just trying to get something going," said Scott.
Of them all, the four Irish players – who learnt their crafts on rock hard links – also come in with a pep in their steps. Darren Clarke finished as the lead Irishman in the Irish Open, while Shane Lowry and McDowell have each played so nicely in practice that their expectations of contending are well justified.
“I want to win more Major championships. I have the desire back, I love being in contention in the biggest events in the world,” said McDowell, the 2010 champion. Yet, the man in everyone’s mind, the one to beat, is the world number one.
"Obviously, you have to go with Rory, for sure," said defending champion Martin Kaymer. "We look on him as the best player in the world right now, he's proven that," remarked Rickie Fowler.
It’s time for some questions to be answered!
- Four to watch
Danny Willett World ranking: 36 Odds: 125/1 Recent form: T12th, T38th, 3rd, T38th, T6th Best US Open finish: T45th (2014) What's to like: Moved up the gears this season, following his win in the European Tour's season-opening Nedbank Challenge with a hugely impressive performance in the WGC-Cadillac Matchplay where he reached the semi-finals. His biggest attributes are a strong mental game and a wonderful touch with the putter. Confirmed his links pedigree when he finished sixth in the Irish Open.
Rory McIlroy World ranking: 1 Odds: 8/1 Recent form: 1st, T8th, 1st, MC, MC Best US Open finish: 1st (2011) What's to like: With any other player, back-to-back missed cuts would automatically mean a pencil through the name. Not with McIlroy; it's in his nature to blow hot and cold. But when he's hot, he's really hot – and he has looked at home here in practice. The wide fairways mean he can take full advantage of his length off the tee and will be hitting considerably shorter irons into the greens than many in the field.
Brooks Koepka World ranking: 21 Odds: 50/1 Recent form: MC, T16th, 72nd, T52nd, T3rd Best US Open finish: T4th (2014) What's to like: Koepka broke the mould in many ways as an American chasing his dream. He took the European route and showed his mettle when winning the Turkish Open last season. Hindered by a rib injury earlier this season, he has started to hit form and comes here on the back of a third place finish in last week's Memorial Tournament. A long hitter with a good short game.
Phil Mickelson World ranking: 17 Odds: 16/1 Recent form: T2nd, MC, T4th, T65th, T3rd Best US Open finish: 2nd (six times – 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2013) What's to like: Nobody has knocked on the door as often without being let in: he has six runners-up finishes. If meticulous planning means anything, then his time spent here in preparation with short game guru Dave Pelz might give Lefty the vital edge. Mickelson's creativity around the greens should be a big help, even he can avoid the Achilles heel of occasionally missing short putts.
