How would you set up Pinehurst No.2 today?

[Ran Morrissett]

Clear Tar Heel blue skies and dry firm conditions apply.

That said, here are only two variables: tee and hole locations (and Dan has just put these up, which I have yet to study):

Here is what I would do: HAVE THE COURSE PLAY AS ROSS INTENDED.

Let’s not go through a restoration and NOT have Ross’s masterpiece play as Ross had it. The 1936 PGA program is the road map. The third is a placement hole, the 6th and 15th require 200 yard plus shots, etc. One note: the 16th was a reachable par 5 in 1936 – and it’s essentially the same par 4 ½ this week, minus eagle roars.

Here is what I would NOT do: drivable 3rd, drivable 7th, nine iron into the 15th. This is Ross’s course, let his voice be the dominant one heard today.

The one potential caveat: Perhaps use the 580 tee at the 5th which would make it play longer than Ross had it in 1936. The reason? With the native areas thin from the dry conditions, I don’t want a repeat of a missed drive at a US Open followed by an eagle.

Regarding hole locations, I would throw a couple of extras in like the superlative one at the 18th yesterday whereby you could get at it. What most people fail to appreciate are the interior contours of these greens and the 18th hole location yesterday reminded people there is much more to these putting surfaces than just their sides. The back left followed by the back right hole locations at 1 & 2 yesterday were a rousing start but let’s not overdue the corner locations. There are many juicy interior ones as well.

What do you say?

[RKoehn]

I like Ran's suggestion.  None of this pushing the tees up for drivable par 4s or irons into par 5s in two.  The tees don't have to be on the tips, but I'd like to see them "play the whole golf course" so to speak.

Conditions yesterday were so much better.  An extra foot of green speed was absolutely necessary to bring out the character of the greens.  Hopefully we see that again today, with a little yellowish shine on the greens....

[Mike Sweeney]

I like Ran's suggestion.  None of this pushing the tees up for drivable par 4s or irons into par 5s in two.  The tees don't have to be on the tips, but I'd like to see them "play the whole golf course" so to speak.

Conditions yesterday were so much better.  An extra foot of green speed was absolutely necessary to bring out the character of the greens.  Hopefully we see that again today, with a little yellowish shine on the greens....

I am going 100% the other way  It is a golf tournament, let's see some competition. Kaymer is playing very consistent and has a 5 shot lead. Give some of the early guys a chance to score 66 and 67 to get in Kaymer's head. Then he has to choose his style of play. Right now, it they make it a "US Open Save Par" style set-up, he plays defensively and we have a boring tournament and we talk about the cool brown conditions.

My opinion is this "new USGA" is not afraid of trying some new things. Let them score today, especially on the closing holes. If Kaymer shoots 65, and wins by 10, he is still a very deserving winner.  If he goes +2 again and Fowler can find some Mojo, it gets very interesting....

[Ronald Montesano]

I don't get what Ran is trying to say...his message is hazy...could be the accent...could be the barbecue...can I get a ruling translation...what does he like? HFD, Ran.

My chips are these: 6 easy, 6 middle, 6 hard. Easy flags should be on 4, 9, 13, 14, 17, 18. Middle flags should be on 1, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 16. Hard flags should be on 2, 3, 6, 8, 11 and 12.

There is no doubt that the Deuce was Ross' labor of love, but was it his masterpiece? Did DaVinci go back to the Mona Lisa over and over and over? Composers? Sculptors?

[Bryan Icenhower]

3 and 13 are both set up driveable today.

[Terry Lavin]

Be true to thine own self USGA. Kaymer put himself in this position and the setup should not be designed to enable others to put up low numbers. It should be a typically demanding Sunday setup, a bit tougher than yesterday and way harder than the first two rounds.

[Jason Thurman]

Ran, I'm with you. As I turn on the TV this morning, I'm cringing at Mike Davis patting himself on the back for his two driveable par fours. Moving the tee up on 13 is a travesty. It might be the best approach shot on the course, and instead they've bastardized it.

But hey, at least the mouth breathers can scream "in the hole!" For one more shot.

[Ulrich Mayring]

I am not 100% sold on the idea that the USGA should set the course up while looking at the leaderboard. Let's say Kaymer was out injured this week, then they should set it up totally differently? Is this about maximising the entertainment value or is it about identifying the best golfer?

Incidentally, the only guy with a major to his credit within 8 shots of the lead is Kaymer - so in all likelihood they already identified the best golfer.

I also don't get what's wrong with missing the fairway, playing a great recovery shot and making a putt for eagle? The 5th plays as a par 4 for the field, so you can call it a Birdie, if you like.

Ulrich

[Brad Tufts]

Looks like #18's pin location is a bit further back and right than the "Payne" position they commonly use for the public on Sundays.

[Bryan Icenhower]

Davis stated on GC that he set the course up today according to the plan that has been set up all along, Saturday the tough day, Sunday easier with some opportunities out there but still difficult.

[Mark Bourgeois]

There is no doubt that the Deuce was Ross' labor of love, but was it his masterpiece? Did DaVinci go back to the Mona Lisa over and over and over? Composers? Sculptors?

Sagrada Família and that's just for starters. 'The Scream' by Munch, 'Water Lilies' by Monet etc etc...

setup should not be designed to enable others to put up low numbers.

Terry, hold on while I check the official tournament website...yep, Kaymer will be playing the same course as everyone else.

[Ronald Montesano]

I would set it up like Melreese:

http://www.pgatour.com/news/2014/06/14/compton-us-open-overcome-obstacles.html

[Terry Lavin]

MB,

A soft setup helps the field more than an easy one. Last time I checked. Yep.

[Ronald Montesano]

There is no doubt that the Deuce was Ross' labor of love, but was it his masterpiece? Did DaVinci go back to the Mona Lisa over and over and over? Composers? Sculptors?

Sagrada Família and that's just for starters. 'The Scream' by Munch, 'Water Lilies' by Monet etc etc...

That damned Gaudi...never finished his masterpiece.

[John Kavanaugh]

Until more people like Ran call out for respecting the integrity of an architects design we will continue to see bastadization by committee.  You would think that flow and sequence meant nothing the way holes that have existed for years are changed at the whim of an appointed official. Yesterday on the 7th they had to evacuate the green so players could take a go at it.  

[Mark Bourgeois]

Terry,

There are no soft setups in the final round of a US Open. Everyone in contention will be fighting themselves out there.

[Mark Bourgeois]

There is no doubt that the Deuce was Ross' labor of love, but was it his masterpiece? Did DaVinci go back to the Mona Lisa over and over and over? Composers? Sculptors?

Sagrada Família and that's just for starters. 'The Scream' by Munch, 'Water Lilies' by Monet etc etc...

That damned Gaudi...never finished his masterpiece.

Neither did Ross! 

[Jim Nugent]

There is no doubt that the Deuce was Ross' labor of love, but was it his masterpiece? Did DaVinci go back to the Mona Lisa over and over and over? Composers? Sculptors?

The difference is that golf is interactive.  The 'audience' doesn't just watch or listen.  It plays with and on the architect's canvas.  That ongoing interactive feedback makes changes more feasible and even desired.  

As for Ran's question, I'm with Brian.  The greens are different, so we can't set up P2 the way Ross intended.  

I personally would set it tough as nails.  

[Jud_T]

2 things were ridiculous yesterday-  the hole they set up as driveable (7?) was plain silly.  And don't get me started on that eagle Kaymer made out of the native.  I could hear JaKa guffawing from 300 miles away.  I hope it's right on the edge today.  Kaymer was still able to spin balls to a dead stop once or twice yesterday.  Stretch it out, have a good mix of pins and don't get cute with the driveable holes.  I want to see Kaymer earn it by grinding harder for another 72.

[Ulrich Mayring]

Interesting. Usually what you'll hear on this board is that it should be possible to recover from trouble by playing a great shot. So I take it you guys want the brutal US Open rough back or perhaps some ponds on the side?

Ulrich

[RJ_Daley]

Every tee back, every pin right in the middle...

[Philip Caccamise]

Dottie Pepper goes off on Mike Davis for the tee placement on 3 & 13. Wow- good for her to voice her opinion.

[Mike Sweeney]

Dottie Pepper goes off on Mike Davis for the tee placement on 3 & 13. Wow- good for her to voice her opinion.

I just re-scheduled my Father's Day with my wife so that I can see the last group play #3 at roughly 4PM.

I love what Mike Davis is doing. Combined with Merion last year, the US Open is transforming from the hardest to the most interesting major.

After watching this tournament and with acknowledgement of tradition, I think The Open Championship should try a heathland/inland course.

Am I the only one who want to see a 62 to win The US Open on Johnny's last day  , and I like Martin Kaymer.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Clear Tar Heel blue skies and dry firm conditions apply.

That said, here are only two variables: tee and hole locations (and Dan has just put these up, which I have yet to study):

Here is what I would do: HAVE THE COURSE PLAY AS ROSS INTENDED.

That was Andy North's position.

Let’s not go through a restoration and NOT have Ross’s masterpiece play as Ross had it. The 1936 PGA program is the road map. The third is a placement hole, the 6th and 15th require 200 yard plus shots, etc. One note: the 16th was a reachable par 5 in 1936 – and it’s essentially the same par 4 ½ this week, minus eagle roars.

Here is what I would NOT do: drivable 3rd, drivable 7th, nine iron into the 15th. This is Ross’s course, let his voice be the dominant one heard today.

Andy North agrees with you.

The one potential caveat: Perhaps use the 580 tee at the 5th which would make it play longer than Ross had it in 1936. The reason? With the native areas thin from the dry conditions, I don’t want a repeat of a missed drive at a US Open followed by an eagle.

Regarding hole locations, I would throw a couple of extras in like the superlative one at the 18th yesterday whereby you could get at it. What most people fail to appreciate are the interior contours of these greens and the 18th hole location yesterday reminded people there is much more to these putting surfaces than just their sides. The back left followed by the back right hole locations at 1 & 2 yesterday were a rousing start but let’s not overdue the corner locations. There are many juicy interior ones as well.

What do you say?

I  say that, unbelievably, you're right.

[Joe Bausch]

Dottie Pepper goes off on Mike Davis for the tee placement on 3 & 13. Wow- good for her to voice her opinion.

The guys on ESPN radio pre-game (started about 10 min ago) are just going off on Mike Davis/USGA on the course setup for the final round.  Bill Kratzert is not mincing any words.