US Open What do you think?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

This has always been my favorite tournament to watch and the one that I most aspired to play in. Sadly, I never go there.

Watching this year and last year look a bit odd for a US Open. One of the reasons that it's usually such a good tournament is the the course is so difficult. The main features being very long, thick rough, narrow fairways and firm, fast greens.

This year they are playing on a new course that looks very much like British links. Now, I love British links golf courses, but I'm not sure that I like it for a US Open.

Last year they played it in Pinehurst #2 which is a beautiful old American golf course where Payne Stewart won a few months before his untimely death. But, old number two had been revamped. They removed all the rough. Again, it wasn't that it was a bad course, it just didn't have a US Open quality about it. Of course Martin Kaymer made it look like it wasn't a US Open either so that didn't help. Nothing against Kaymer, it's just that he ran away from the field and there was no drama. Usually the US Open is filled with drama. With a few exceptions, we usually see a player with a small lead just trying to survive the back nine.

So this year I'm watching and I don't get the same feeling that I've had watching so many US Opens in the past.

Why is the USGA trying make the US Open look like the British Open?

The four majors have a distinct look and feel to them.

The Masters with it's perfectly manicured Augusta National Golf Club with it's big, fast, incredibly undulating greens. Very little rough and all of those holes that we are all so familiar with.

The US Open for years moved around to traditional American courses that the USGA would go into and set up with narrow fairways, long, lush rough and rock hard greens.

The British Open of course had it's very distinctive looking courses of the ten or so in it's regular rotation.

OK, the PGA Championship was pretty indistinct and usually thought of as the least of the majors.

But now we have the USGA trying to make the US Open look and feel like the British Open? Why? We already have a British Open.

I'm not sure how I feel about it, I was very disappointed in last years event but part of that was the lack of competition. Runaways are not usually fun to watch. We'll have to see how things turn out, but I'll be really happy to see them get back to Winged Foot.

[Jayhawk]

The course is ugly, at least on TV.

[Jima64]

The course appears to be in horrible condition. Too much odd layout of the holes. Two holes on the back nine cross,over each other creating a bottleneck for the players.

[Jayhawk]

Looks like Sweetgum.

[JGVillages]

Its a jumbo pinball machine but fun to watch

[Colts Fan]

Some of the views of the course on television make it look more like the Lunar Open than the US Open.

[Colts Fan]

It might be more common than I think, but I've never seen sand traps with stairs before.

[aln]

It does look a little British. I think were just not used to seeing Southwest US grasses. I could do without joe buck
I think fox sports has a long way to go to cover a major

[simpkinp]

I am very disappointed so far. Not only is the course ugly (and they keep calling it beautiful), but by the shots I see, not as hard as they made it out to be. Two men are -5 the first round already? And many more close behind. Not what they promised us. Didn't they say the golfers would struggle to make pars? Maybe it will be different tomorrow, some wind, harder pin placement. Unfortunately it will still be ugly. Oh, and interesting commentators, Curt Menefee and Joe Buck? Will Bradshaw, Howie and Michael be on tomorrow? Sure like that kid "Hammer" though.

[Polar Bear]

I'll bet it's beautiful in person.

The grasses...especially on the greens...do look odd. But I'm okay with them shaking things up a little. I love seeing the pros deal with difficult, non-standard conditions. And I still think the winning score may be just a little under par.

[jebartle]

When a course is so difficult to walk that they fear it unsafe for fans to gather in certain areas, they have made a mistake... Cart paths that exist are few and far between. It looks like a moon-scape with "grass" (and I use that term loosely).
No club house. Fox Sports coverage is poor. Updates on players scores are hit and miss at best. This would not be on my bucket list of courses to play.

[rubicon]

Chambers Bay was created 9 years ago by moving and shaping it with millions of metric tons of dirt, etc.

Thursday's play was comparable kids stuff the USGA will make the course more difficult each day.

One hole will shift from a par 4 to a par 5, etc. and another hole changes also but I forget the specifics. Also can lengthen the course substantially

It is going to be an interesting venue. I have my favorite and hopes he succeeds in his grand slam ambition.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The course appears to be in horrible condition. Too much odd layout of the holes. Two holes on the back nine cross,over each other creating a bottleneck for the players.

Which holes are you talking about? I looked at a layout of the course and I don't see any holes crossing.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Chambers Bay was created 9 years ago by moving and shaping it with millions of metric tons of dirt, etc.

Thursday's play was comparable kids stuff the USGA will make the course more difficult each day.

One hole will shift from a par 4 to a par 5, etc. and another hole changes also but I forget the specifics. Also can lengthen the course substantially

It is going to be an interesting venue. I have my favorite and hopes he succeeds in his grand slam ambition.

Both the first and eighteenth will change from a par four to par five.

I think that Americans are a bit shocked by this because it looks so much like the classic British links courses which are also all fescue. My only problem with the condition is that it seems that the ball are wobbling around on the greens a lot.

Like I said, it appears that the USGA wants to make the US Open look more and more like the British Open every year. I'm wondering if that has anything to do with the fact that six out of the last eleven US Opens including the last three have been won by foreigners.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

It does look a little British. I think were just not used to seeing Southwest US grasses. I could do without joe buck
I think fox sports has a long way to go to cover a major

Umm....last I checked, Seattle was in the NORTHwest.

Fescue is not a southwest or northwest grass. It is the prominent grass in the British Isles and I have played a course in Northern Maine that was planted completely in red fescue. It's actually a great grass for golf. In fact, I believe Jack Nicklaus said it was the most perfect grass for a golf course. Some people have a problem with it because it's not green. Americans are used to seeing very green, overly lush golf courses. We are especially spoiled by seeing the golf courses on television which are mainly bent grass and brought to the peak of perfection for the week of the tournament.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I am very disappointed so far. Not only is the course ugly (and they keep calling it beautiful), but by the shots I see, not as hard as they made it out to be. Two men are -5 the first round already? And many more close behind. Not what they promised us. Didn't they say the golfers would struggle to make pars? Maybe it will be different tomorrow, some wind, harder pin placement. Unfortunately it will still be ugly. Oh, and interesting commentators, Curt Menefee and Joe Buck? Will Bradshaw, Howie and Michael be on tomorrow? Sure like that kid "Hammer" though.

You evidently didn't watch the threesome of Tiger Wood, Ricky Fowler and Louis Oosthuizen.

The projected cut is +3. the average cut at a regular tour event is minus two or three.

So far, the leaders halfway through the second round are at -6. Johnson will probably get to -7 as I watch.

The main problem that I see with the golf course is that it gives a huge advantage to bombers which is exactly the opposite of what the US Open has been about throughout it's history. The USGA has always put more emphasis on accuracy and precision than distance. There seem to be a lot of holes where it gets very wide if you can cut the corner. That is exactly what happened when John Daly won the PGA Championship at Crooked Stick. The fairways narrowed up in the landing areas and many of them doglegged right or left. Daly was able to hit it over the corner of the dogleg not making his landing area huge but giving him very short clubs into the greens. I fear that that is exactly what's happening here. Dustin Johnson should run away with this.

[Miles42]

Tough to watch. This a really ugly course no matter how the TV folks try and hype it LOL

[JoMar]

I agree....this is one of the most interesting Opens I have seen. The scores speak to the difficulty, the uniqueness of the layout brings the need for a strategy. I have grown weary of the beautifully manicured green courses that seem to be copies of other beautifully manicured green courses. The greens are probably the most challenging except for Augusta. The course tests the pro's like no other....so far. Plus a lot of history at the site.

[NYGUY]

I agree with the good Dr.. The world's majors and the US don't need another British Open. And, even worse, we don't need FOX and their football analysts learning how to broadcast golf at our expense!!!..:cus:

[luckylilly]

Maybe this is our introduction to water conservation when it comes to golf course in the US. Lush green grass in the West & Northwest will and is becoming a thing of the past, a luxury we can no longer afford. Rather than enjoy eye candy on the courses, we might want to use the water to grow healthy food.

[mickey100]

I agree with the good Dr.. The world's majors and the US don't need another British Open. And, even worse, we don't need FOX and their football analysts learning how to broadcast golf at our expense!!!..:cus:


Exactly. The coverage is terrible.

[justjim]

I agree with the good Dr.. The world's majors and the US don't need another British Open. And, even worse, we don't need FOX and their football analysts learning how to broadcast golf at our expense!!!..:cus:

I suppose everyone has an opinion regarding this years broadcast. Greg Norman, Brad Faxon and Tom Weiskopf know a bit about golf. I especially enjoy "shark's" comments.

The course certainly doesn't look like an U.S. Open course. Its different----Goofy Golf at a very high level perhaps? Still enjoy watching though.

[Polar Bear]

I'm enjoying it, just for the "something different" factor if nothing else. And I like seeing the pros struggle occasionally.

But the broadcast? Mehhh. Would love to hear Johnny Miller do this Open.

[SKIMAN]

I LOVE THE LAYOUT. LET THE PRO'S EARN IT........:22yikes:

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I don't think that the broadcast is all that bad. Golf tournaments always have a professional sportscaster or two along with semi-retired or retired professional golfers. For the most part, I think that Joe Buck and the others have stayed out of the way enough to let the others do their job.

Greg Norman, Corey Pavin, Julie Inkster and the others are doing a good job. It's nice to hear something other than Johnny (the longer I'm in this booth, the easier this game gets) Miller's snide comments.

The one thing I would like to see improved is the leaderboard. They show the top five a lot, but not much beyond that. Yesterday, Brandon Grace finished early and his name remained in fourth place on that little box in the lower left of the screen. I wish they'd show more of the scores of the active players. That may change now that the cut is over.

[Topspinmo]

Closest thing to cow pasture golf iMO. And we complain about course and green conditions around here! " Gary Player" had some things to say about it. And none was good!

[Polar Bear]

...It's nice to hear something other than Johnny (the longer I'm in this booth, the easier this game gets) Miller's snide comments...
I don't really disagree with you, Doc. I think it would just be fun to hear Miller's thoughts on such a controversial course/tournament. :)

SIDE NOTE: Like him or not, during his brief at-his-best phase, I don't think I've ever seen anybody play the game with the precision Miller did. Didn't last long, but it was incredible while it did.

[Polar Bear]

Closest thing to cow pasture golf iMO...
Sure has a rough look on television, but I seriously doubt it looks as nasty in person.

[NYGUY]

I suppose everyone has an opinion regarding this years broadcast. Greg Norman, Brad Faxon and Tom Weiskopf know a bit about golf. I especially enjoy "shark's" comments.

The course certainly doesn't look like an U.S. Open course. Its different----Goofy Golf at a very high level perhaps? Still enjoy watching though.

Here is another voice from golf whose record indicates he know more than those 3 combined.

2015 US Open -- Gary Player torches Chambers Bay: 'One of the worst' - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/golf/eye-on-golf/25219861/us-open-gary-player-torches-chambers-bay)

[justjim]

Here is another voice from golf whose record indicates he know more than those 3 combined.

2015 US Open -- Gary Player torches Chambers Bay: 'One of the worst' - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/golf/eye-on-golf/25219861/us-open-gary-player-torches-chambers-bay)

I like Gary Player. That said, Player is definitely "old school". "Old School" is probably an understatement. One thing for sure, golfers will be talking about the 2015 U.S. Open long after its over-----I'm not sure that's a bad thing for golf.

[dbussone]

I like Gary Player. That said, Player is definitely "old school". "Old School" is probably an understatement. One thing for sure, golfers will be talking about the 2015 U.S. Open long after its over-----I'm not sure that's a bad thing for golf.


As they say: all press is good press.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I LOVE THE LAYOUT. LET THE PRO'S EARN IT........:22yikes:

I don't disagree with letting them earn it. It's more about the style of the golf course and it giving a certain type of play an advantage.

The US Open has always required accuracy and precision off the tee. This course has very wide fairways and seems to give a huge advantage to longer hitters. The Masters already does that.

This course is more about second shots and play around the greens. The traditional US Open courses have had that as well, but it more due to long lush rough and very firm greens. They also had very narrow fairways lined with thick, lush rough.

[rubicon]

Fox News is doing a good job broadcasting and I for one was getting really sick of listening to Miller.

I believe the USGA in its tradition of making the Open difficult overstepped with this course. Davis did succeed in finding a very difficult venue to play. However, it is not an appealing looking course especially with trains running along side it on a regular basis. And it is not a good venue for spectators who are having a difficult time getting close to the players and /or getting a decent view of play.

As you note Jason Day the exception there is a lot of slipping and sliding going on because of the terrain both from the pros and the gallery. Thank god we have Winged Foot Pebble Beach coming back for the next couple of years

[westcoast]

I think the venue is great. This is what the US open is all about.
A very tough test for the best in the world. How it looks on TV is
not important. This will determine which players figure it out and
put themselves in position to have a chance to win it all.

I love it.

[Polar Bear]

A little difficult to traverse? Boohoo. :) To me that sounds like an interesting course. (Jason Day's issue is vertigo. You can't design a course to accommodate such an unfortunate malady.)

And again, I know Johnny Miller is a turn-off for many. And I can fully understand that. But for me it would have been interesting...at least for a little while...heheh...to hear his takes on this very unique course/tournament.

[JoMar]

I like Gary Player. That said, Player is definitely "old school". "Old School" is probably an understatement. One thing for sure, golfers will be talking about the 2015 U.S. Open long after its over-----I'm not sure that's a bad thing for golf.

I agree...the old school golfers can't handle the challenges of a course like this. Just take a look at the scores and the names of the players in contention....not one of them is of the older generation. These are young players, strong players and players that aren't easily intimidated. They aren't aggressively complaining, they are out there playing a game of golf that Player, Palmer, Nicklaus are not accustomed with, yet they judge.

[tomwed]

US Open 2015: third round (http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/jun/20/us-open-2015-third-round-live)

The fox coverage just ended. If you want to see how saturday ends follow the link above.

[kcrazorbackfan]

It does look a little British. I think were just not used to seeing Southwest US grasses. I could do without joe buck
I think fox sports has a long way to go to cover a major

I really do like Joe Buck as an announcer for the NFL and MLB; however, I would rather watch paint dry than listen to him do golf. Just like he's flatlined.

As far as the course, I don't think I would waste the $300 green fee to walk it (no carts are allowed). It does not look fun at all.

[NYGUY]

I like Gary Player. That said, Player is definitely "old school". "Old School" is probably an understatement. One thing for sure, golfers will be talking about the 2015 U.S. Open long after its over-----I'm not sure that's a bad thing for golf.

You are right, Player is "old school". I probably value his opinion since I am just plane old!!

[tomwed]

"After a nearly 400-yard drive, Johnson (-5) hit a wedge to a couple of inches and picked up the shot he lost on the third hole. Scott (E) missed his 15-foot birdie putt after a monster drive of his own. Garcia (-1) hit a splendid bunker shot and tapped in for par."

That's not golf the way the old school players played golf.

[tomwed]

what a finish

[JoMar]

what a finish

Agreed!!!

[CatskillBill]

what a finish

Gotta feel bad for DJ, and I would have loved to see an 18 hole playoff tomorrow. Two down and two to go for Jordan. He could have a ten year run and break Jack's record. What a great kid for the game of golf. Tiger Who?

[NYGUY]

what a finish

Yes it was. Not even Fox could screw that up!!!

[jebartle]

the walk from No 3 green to No. 4 Tee was equivalent to walking ALL of Mira Mesa...and then you have to add in the elevation...Yipsters!
Hard to believe that the architect designed this course with that intent (or were holes changed for the purpose of the US Open?)

Glad Jordan won but would not be unhappy if DJ won either...Good finish!




I think the venue is great. This is what the US open is all about.
A very tough test for the best in the world. How it looks on TV is
not important. This will determine which players figure it out and
put themselves in position to have a chance to win it all.

I love it.

[graciegirl]

What a course. What a show. What a couple of good young golfers. They say that golf has no drama.

[ajbrown]

Good thread to read.

My take away from the outcome is sympathy for Dustin Johnson. It was hard to watch someone LOSE by three putting from 12(ish) feet.

He will recover as he is a great player, but it has to hurt, when he is alone in retrospection.

[billethkid]

Great display of some very talented players on a very difficult course.
Billard table rules applied.....I have never seen such roll on fairways and undulating greens!!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Good thread to read.

My take away from the outcome is sympathy for Dustin Johnson. It was hard to watch someone LOSE by three putting from 12(ish) feet.

He will recover as he is a great player, but it has to hurt, when he is alone in retrospection.

Yea, I never like to see a tournament where someone loses it as opposed to someone winning. I really feel for Dustin Johnson. I was happy to see Jordan Speith win, but I would rather have seen him make eagle on the last hole or win in a Monday playoff.

It was the equivalent of Phil putting on his dunce cap and handing the title to Geoff Ogilvy at Winged Foot in 2006.

Than being said, it was one of the most entertaining, exciting and dramatic finishes of any US Open that I've seen in years. At least six different people had a chance at some point. McIlroy, Oosthuizen, Grace, Johnson, Scott and Speith and had a chance until the final few holes.

Even Brandt Snedeker and Cameron Smith were in the mix with outside chances.

I was sorry to see Jason Day shoot himself out of it so early. What a story that would have been. Every time he appeared on the screen, all I could do was wonder if he was going to keel over. What an amazing story.

In spite of my misgivings about the golf course, this was exactly what a US Open should be. This is exactly why I love watching this tournament every year.

Much better than the snooze fest provider by Martin Kaymer last year. Nothing against Martin, he's a great player and a well deserved champion, it's just that when one guy runs away with a tournament and there is very little doubt about the winner going into the final round, it is not all that entertaining to watch. Unless it is someone making history like Tiger did in 2000 at Pebble Beach.

I love seeing history being made and that's one of the things that made Jordan's victory so special yesterday. He is now one of six men in history to have won both The Masters and US Open in the same year. He now has a chance for the elusive Grand Slam which would truly mark his place in the history of golf.

[outlaw]

I really felt sorry for DJ after he three putted...until I saw wife. I think he'll be OK tonight.

[justjim]

I really felt sorry for DJ after he three putted...until I saw wife. I think he'll be OK tonight.

:bigbow:

[justjim]

Yea, I never like to see a tournament where someone loses it as opposed to someone winning. I really feel for Dustin Johnson. I was happy to see Jordan Speith win, but I would rather have seen him make eagle on the last hole or win in a Monday playoff.

It was the equivalent of Phil putting on his dunce cap and handing the title to Geoff Ogilvy at Winged Foot in 2006.

Than being said, it was one of the most entertaining, exciting and dramatic finishes of any US Open that I've seen in years. At least six different people had a chance at some point. McIlroy, Oosthuizen, Grace, Johnson, Scott and Speith and had a chance until the final few holes.

Even Brandt Snedeker and Cameron Smith were in the mix with outside chances.

I was sorry to see Jason Day shoot himself out of it so early. What a story that would have been. Every time he appeared on the screen, all I could do was wonder if he was going to keel over. What an amazing story.

In spite of my misgivings about the golf course, this was exactly what a US Open should be. This is exactly why I love watching this tournament every year.

Much better than the snooze fest provider by Martin Kaymer last year. Nothing against Martin, he's a great player and a well deserved champion, it's just that when one guy runs away with a tournament and there is very little doubt about the winner going into the final round, it is not all that entertaining to watch. Unless it is someone making history like Tiger did in 2000 at Pebble Beach.

I love seeing history being made and that's one of the things that made Jordan's victory so special yesterday. He is now one of six men in history to have won both The Masters and US Open in the same year. He now has a chance for the elusive Grand Slam which would truly mark his place in the history of golf.

Good comments regarding the Tournment. My wife and I had seriously thought about going but with her knee replacement it became out of the question. The best seat was in front of your television. The spectators I'm sure had a tough time following the action and the terrain made it difficult to follow any group around the golf course. But it was very nice in front of our 55" screen!

[ditka41]

Impressive patience exhibited by most of the golfers. Sad for live spectators. It probably accomplished the goals of sponsors and promoters, including TV coverage. I found myself watching it more than I normally would have, but not for all the right reasons. It was mostly because I couldn't help myself --similar to not being able to avoid the stare at an accident scene.