I love what the USGA has done with Oakmont and how they have been preparing the course.
The way the course is set up, and has been the past three days, has provided not only a stern test but there have been so many different plays on holes, for good or bad, and it is obvious to me the strategy that Oakmont provides. For instance, Tiger birdes #3 yesterday hitting 2-iron, 8-iron. Bubba hits driver 80 yards past Woods ball a couple group later. On #1, I saw every club from a long iron to driver being used. The same for #10, though there seem to be more irons on that hole, off the tee.
Today, #2 is reachable, as is #14 and #17, and in return #8 plays very long, almost like the other three short holes mentioned. Players will have to negotiate whether to try and get wedges close, or to go for greens. The strategy in the holes is readily apparent, and that is good. It's nice to have the best players in the world think about their shots.
As an added bonus, the two par fives have played superbly. With the tees up on 12, there was awesome risk reward in going for the green, yet when the tees were back precision rather than brute length was required, and, judging by the 5.55 stroke average from the first two days, playing precisely as opposed to going for the green proved to be the way to play the hole. #4 has created lots of interest as well. There have been eagle tries, eagles, birdies, and bogeys there as well. It's tremendous how well two par fives are playing for the top players in the world.
Overall, I think that Oakmont is holding its own, plus much more. I've never had a more enjoyable time watching a Championship. It's fun to see top players think there way around a course. Brute length isn't cutting it, unless the drive is very straight. Yet, bad shots are punished perfectly. It seems that, though the rough is deep, players have been able to get to the fairway or green if they run the ball up or really think about how to play the shot. The ditches prove to be a great hazard for wayward shots. The greens have been rolling at good speeds; not too fast, yet still fast enough to make downhill putts scary. Fairway are firm, bunkers are penalizing, it's all good.
I applaud the USGA for setting up the course so great.
And, I applaud Oakmont for providing a firm yet fair challenge, and keeping the thought of strategy alive for hte best players in the world. It's fun to watch.