What Will the Yardage Be for the 2010 Open at Pebble Beach?

[Phil Benedict]

While suffering through the celebrities at the AT&T, I heard one of the commentators say that Pebble was a course Corey Pavin could do well on, because he can compete on a 6800-yard plus course.  I realize they set it up easy to accommodate the celebs in the AT&T, but how long is Pebble Beach in the US Open configuration?  I know the USGA played it as a par 71 in 2000, and only one player was under par, but technology has changed a lot since the last Pebble Beach Open.

[Adam Clayman]

Phil, A couple of things. The course is not set-up easy due to the Am's. The pros and Ams play from different teeing grounds in the AT&T. The pins may not be tucked Thur. Fri. and Sat. but to call them easy was not reflected in the 76+ scoring average, @ PB, when the wind blew.

The length is immaterial. Especially at Pebble.

The USGA built new back tees on Bethpage Black, but then failed to use them.

[Tom Huckaby]

Re the yardage for 2010 US Open, I'd guess:

1. 2 will be a par 4 again so par 71 total.  Nowhere to go backwards with that tee though, so it stays at 490 or whatever they had it before.

2.  Tees where they CAN'T add any distance: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18.

3.  Tees where distance could be added by pushing back tees:  9 - a few yards maybe; 10 - same; 13, 14, - would be damn weird but they could do it; 17 - just use the Nicklaus tee from days gone by.

I'm guessing a total of maybe 100-150 yards could be added if they really really wanted to.

A separate issue is whether that's worth the trouble.  But Adam or other Pebble experts - does all of that sound correct?  I surely may be off.

And yes I did just call myself Shirley.

[Phil Benedict]

Tom,

I assumed they would use the Nicklaus tee on 17.  Actually, watching that hole over the weekend being played from 175 yards is what led me to conclude, I guess erroneously, that the course is set up easy for the AT&T.

[Tom Huckaby]

Phil:

They have always used the 175 tee for everything EXCEPT USGA tournaments - and I'm not sure they always used it even in those.  In fact the Nicklaus tee doesn't even really exist... it's just the back part of 4 tee.

Which reminds me, they could make 4 longer if they just used one block for 4 and 17, or had the holes cross.  But that seems a little far-fetched.  

[Kalen Braley]

Lengthening 9, 10, and 14 would be really sadistic seeing how they are already some of the toughest holes on the course.  Why would anyone do that?

Wait a minute, this is the USGA, of course they will do it.  

[Tom Huckaby]

Well said Kalen.  Of course I was not opining as to whether it should be done, just listing where there was room and where there wasn't.

[Mike Benham]

Lengthening 9, 10, and 14 would be really sadistic seeing how they are already some of the toughest holes on the course.  Why would anyone do that?

Don't forget that the US Open is in June and the course will be firm and fast and a well struck driver will yield drives of 325-330 with the roll.  Keeping the bouncy ball in the fairway will be the priority.

[Bill_McBride]

The REAL question is, how firm will the course and the greens be, and how windy!  Thinking back on Tom Kite's Open victory vs. Tiger's, it was all to do with the conditions, both weather and F&F.

[Phil Benedict]

Don't forget that Tiger was the only player under par in 2000.  The next best score was +3.  The 4th round conditions in '92 were like this Saturday at the AT&T, but with a US Open set up.  Beyond harsh.  Jack congratulated Monty on winning the tournament hours before Kite finished.  

The 2000 Open was before the ProV1 and 460 cc drivers, although Tiger, interestingly enough, was using a 3-piece ball whereas everyone else was still using a wound ball such as the Titleist Professional 100.  This gave Tiger a temporary advantage, at least in ball technology.

Every other US Open venue has been lengthened to some extent in the past few years if I am not mistaken, including Shinnecock.  Can Pebble be stretched out over 7000 yards?

[peter_mcknight]

When I was there, inside the pearly gates in 2004, I walked the course three times examining this very question.  Also, it was a good walk for the two beards as well.

If there isn't a number in parentheses following the yardage, that means it is impossible to add any additional yardage to that particular hole.

I have it maxed out as follows:

380
495 (+10)
400 (+10)
330
190
535 (+10)
110
420
485 (+20)
3345 OUT

465 (+20)
380
205
425 (+20)
590 (+15)
400
405
210
545
3625 IN

Total  6970 yards par 71. (+125)

[David Stamm]

I would say how far the ball has been going that there will be a new tee for 18 on one of the islands in Hawaii!