I have no idea if what I am going to type in the next paragraph is true, so why not do it anyway on a widely read website?!
In 2006, I have always imagined that Tiger saw the POSSIBILITIES and accepted the challenges when he showed up at the burnt-out Hoylake. As one of the two greatest long iron players of all time, Tiger formulated a tactical game plan capitalizing on those superb, fast running conditions. Other competitors saw the state of the turf and were FEARSTRUCK that they would be unable to control their golf ball. Tiger played to his strength and expertly used the conditions to separate himself from the field, producing a magical performance.
Yesterday at Pinehurst I saw a parched golf course with a sublime multi-colored playing surface. I spent all afternoon there and the course is in EXQUISITE condition, literally perfect. The tawny-colored WIDE fairways are brick hard and nearly crackle under foot. There are innumerable what I call ‘moments of tension’ around these infamous greens. Some balls on the margin stay up while others slowly, painfully yield to gravity and topple down the slopes.
Importantly though, some stay up. That ideal balance is difficult to achieve but Bob Farren and his entire crew have done a fabulous job.
I couldn’t help but be reminded of Hoylake and I have no doubt that ~ half of the field is already wigged out. On the second hole I saw one competitor in the right bunker unable to hit the a recovery shot to a (imaginary) far right hole location that remained on the green. He went 0 for 4. That man is toast – and the US Open hasn’t even begun. Undaunted (indeed, inspired) by the fire-y course conditions, someone steely will emerge – I can’t wait to see who it is.
Much goes into preparing a course and yet, the course’s playing qualities remain in the lap of the gods. At Merion last year, everything was perfect and then huge rainstorms ensued prior to play. The course recovered magnificently but not all the way. So far Mother Nature has been much kinder this year. We have been fortunate that two late afternoon thunderstorms have blown over on consecutive days. The weather forecast is less than ideal today but as of this moment, the stage is set; Pinehurst No. 2 is in absolute peak condition to test the very best. I can’t imagine it has ever been in better. No other US Open set-up has come close to its appeal, at least to me. How about you?
We are all very lucky to have ringside seats for an event of such historic appeal.
Best,