s we count down the final few hours before the first tee time at the 2011 US Open at Congressional Country Club, I thought I’d share a few thoughts and random facts I’ve gleaned.
- I predict that the winning score will be under par. I’ve been watching some of he course previews and it doesn’t look that tough—US Open-wise.
- Note that par this year at Congressional is 71.
- The original finishing hole at Congressional—a par 3—now has been reversed and is the 10th. That’s good. No one wants to finish a Major on a par 3. There have, however, been four par three finishes in US Open history: 1896 at Shinnecock Hills, 1902 at Garden City GC, 1909 at Englewood GC and 1997 at Congressional.
- The finishing 18th is a 523 yard par 4. You read that right. Par 4. A three hundred yard drive still leaves you with 223 to the hole. Worse: the green is surrounded by water and bunkers. I predict we’ll see a couple of winning bids destroyed by this hole.
- During the Second World War, the OSS (forerunner of the CIA) used Congressional as a training base.
- The original course was designed in 1924 by Devereux Emmett. It was redesigned from 1957 to 1964 by Robert Trent Jones. Rees Jones has since carried on his father’s work.
- The Clubhouse as eleven hundred lockers, a bowling alley and 20 guest rooms in the 140,000 square foot facility.
- Tiger will miss his first US Open since 1994.
- When Vijay broke his streak of 67 straight Majors, he left Sergio Garcia—of all people—with the next longest streak at 48.
- Ernie Els won the last US Open at Congressional. That was 1997. He could still win it today.
- I figure Graeme McDowell has next to no chance of winning this year. The last back to back winner was Curtis Strange in 1988 – 1989.
- As with so many tournaments lately, I think the eventual winner probably isn’t on anyone’s top three list.
- As much as I like Lefty, I predict that he’ll implode.
- Americans have failed to finish in the top three in three of the last four Majors. Look for that to continue here.
- Sean Foley’s at the US Open, even if Tiger isn’t. He’s coaching Fellow Canadian Jon Mills.
- Steve Williams is also at the US Open. He’s on the bag of Adam Scott.
I do agree it wouldn’t surprise me to see an unknown or something with a high world golf ranking to win this weekend. It’s often been the case this year on tour and also with this tournament.
Cheers