Quote:
Originally Posted by Rainger99
The 8th hole at Oakmont will once again play as the longest Par 3 in U.S. Open history, coming in at 290+ yards. It was 300 yards the last time the Open was played there.
I don’t think every pro golfer can hit it 290 yards. In 2021, the average drive was 295.30 yards.
Is this unfair to the shorter drivers??
|
Almost no one will need a Driver for the 8th hole. Cover is only about 230 and it's probably the flattest and easiest Green on the golf course. Most everyone will hit a Utility Iron or a 4 Iron. It was the 5th hardest hole at the 2007 Open, at 300 yards ... guys have gained a lot of distance in the last 18 years. Bryson says he's hitting a "soft 7 Iron". [
https://x.com/PGATUOR/status/1925657...81583/photo/1]
The hole will probably play to an average of 3.3. In 2007, no hole at Oakmont averaged under Par. The 14th was the best to Par, at 4.05
There's hardly anyone one the PGA Tour who can't carry it 290+ yards, if they want to.
As others have mentioned, "Par" is an arbitrary number and means nothing, unless you're playing a Stableford.