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 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.
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