Lost in the shuffle of the World Cup and the NBA Finals going 7 games, nobody seems to be talking about the US Open that starts tomorrow. Personally, I haven't forgotten and cant wait. Being a student of the game, golfs major championships are four of the best weeks of the year, especially the US open which is my personal favorite. This years venue is Pebble Beach Golf Links, one of the most difficult and majestic courses you will find anywhere in the world located on the shores of the Monterey Peninsula in California. Just turn on the TV sometime over the next 4 days and you will know exactly what I'm talking about. Every hole is a photo opportunity that can be framed and hung in your office or library. If you want to play this course, you better know someone and be willing to shell out a cool $250. However, don't let the beautiful landscape fool you, this course will give you migraines all day long.
What makes the US Open so unique and special is that it's open. Anyone with a 1.4 handicap index or better can make a run at playing in this tournament through sectional and/or regional qualifying. Sponsors and tour exemptions are very slim and hard to come by. For example, Justin Rose the winner of the Memorial Tournament two weeks ago was forced to qualify because he didn't meet any of the other automatic qualifying criteria set forth by the USGA. Justin ended up played poorly in qualifying and didn't make it. Now personally I want a hot golfer fresh off a huge win to be in the field, but that's not what the open is all about. Its not about compiling the toughest field in golf based on rankings and sponsors exemptions(even though is typically does), its about compiling a field that went through the grueling challenges of qualifying unless otherwise exempt based on the qualifying criteria. Its truly a tournament that gives single digit handicappers of all ages hope and a chance to make it on the biggest of stages. Now what you do when you step on that stage is another story all together.
The USGA doesn't do the players any favors when they choose the venue and furthermore when they tweak the layout for the week of the tournament. The course usually plays ridiculously long and the rough is really deep, and I mean deep. As for the speed of the greens, well put it this way Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are already complaining about the speed and its Wednesday afternoon during a practice round. Stating if we don't get any rain or they don't water these greens, its going to get very "interesting" and by "interesting" he means almost unplayable. Want an idea of what I'm talking about, grab a putter and a golf ball and try to get the ball to stop while putting down your driveway, enough said. Typically only 2-3 players finished under par after four rounds, its truly a battle of attrition both on your golf game and your mental capacity. A top ten player in the world can shoot an 82 at the open. For example, in 2002 at Bethpage Black, only Tiger Woods finished under par that week at -3, Mickelson finished second at even par. Which is why if you can hoist that coveted trophy, boy you have earned it and that's what makes its so special. Its truly our national championship. Now you throw in the fact that fathers day typically falls on the Sunday of that week and it just adds something very genuine and heartfelt to this tournament. Which suits golf perfectly, a gentleman's game for genuine people. Here's to another great US Open tournament, I'm really looking forward to it.
No comments:
Post a Comment