Tiger Woods is the odds on favorite to win this year's U.S. Open. Not just because he's one of the best golfers in the world, if not the best; but also because the course is built for his swing. He's won several times at Torrey Pines Municipal, which is hosting this year's Tournament, and the course suits his game to a tee, even with the changes they've made to the course. But don't be surprised if someone other than Tiger wins this year's U.S Open.
Mike Davis, the USGA's senior director for Rules and Competition, brings a new philosophy to the Open. He's made changes to Torrey Pines that promise to make the Tournament more exciting for everyone— from those with just a passing interest in the game to those with low golf handicaps at local country clubs. So it’s possible anyone could win. But even if Tiger wins, the Open is sure to provide great entertainment—and a golf lesson or two—for those who watch.
Tiger's Chances Are Good
Experts offer three reasons why Tiger wins this year's Open. First (and foremost), he has a long history of winning at the course. Torrey Pines hosts the Buick Invitational each January and Tiger is a spokesman for Buick. Needless to say, he's comfortable playing the course. In fact, you could say he's more than comfortable. He's won the Invitational six times in the past 10 years (including the last four). Plus, he's had multiple age group victories at Torrey Pines in the Junior World Championships.
Second, Tiger is in his golfing prime. At 32, he's playing the best and most consistent golf of his life—his knee surgery not withstanding. Third, the course will feature wider fairways and shorter rough than any U.S. Open, both of which favor Tiger's game. He can really open up on the course without fear of being penalized too much if he misses. Nevertheless, it's still the U.S. Open. And no one has ever been a lock to win this tournament—not even Ben Hogan, who won four times in six tries from 1948 to 1953.
Changes at Torrey Pines
Davis' philosophy as far as the course is concerned differs significantly from that of his predecessors. His goal isn't to provide the game's big bashes with an edge, but to test every facet of a player's game. And the changes do that. They create situations and options that let golfers play to their strengths when they can, but also force them to exercise their imaginations when they can't, which Tiger is good at. But so are a lot of other players.
The Open's Torrey Pines isn't the same as the Buick Invitational's. While the fairways are mostly the same width as when they played in January—ranging from 29 yards to 34 yards wide—the rough isn't nearly as deep. Groundskeepers have cut it in gradations. In addition, the tees have been pushed back, making this San Diego municipal the longest Open course in history by more than 300 yards.
Then there's the graduated rough. The fairways are framed uniformly not by long rough, but by bands of progressively higher cuts of grass. The first cut will be only about two and three-quarter inches deep and definitely not more than three inches. The primary rough will take away some spin and distance control from the players, so they'll be tough. But players can still make some shots out of the primary rough. It won't be nearly as tough, though, as the second and third cuts of rough.
In addition, the grass around the greens will be mowed in concentric steps. The approach areas in front of the green will be of Bermuda grass, a textured fast repairing grass, rather than Kikuyu. Bermuda grass doesn't allow for as much spin as other types of grass, inhibiting control. These areas also will be aerated and top-dressed to make them as firm as possible. Davis wants players to be able to bounce shots into greens, should they choose to do so.
The greens are Poe anna, a bluegrass that thrives in cool and damp conditions, such as those in northern California. They'll be mowed tightly. That will allow for the subtleties and tricky breaks to become noticeable, but it won't eliminate them. You can't mow greens too tight. Otherwise, they'll be dead by Sunday, the last day of the tournament. Davis doesn't want the greens to measure about 13 on the Stimpmeter. That's tight. Last year at Oakmont, the greens measured 15.
Individual greens that could provide some drama—and golf lessons—for viewers are the third, seventh, and fourteenth. There's nothing behind the third and fourteenth but deep gulches. Players won't be chipping on these holes from the back. They will be trying heroic shots from behind or beneath bushes or taking penalty strokes. The seventh has a neat little corner pocket to the green's left. These holes will add to the pressure of the Tournament.
Every major tries to define itself differently from the tour's other majors. And this year the U.S. Open is no exception. As a result, this year's tournament will offer some interesting moments—and a golf tip or two—for those paying attention during the tournament. Keep an eye pealed this weekend to see how you can slice strokes off your golf handicap. And don' be surprised if Tiger doesn't win.
Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book "How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros." He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.
