U.S. Open

16 Jun 2005 - 19 Jun 2005
Pinehurst Resort & CC, Pinehurst, North Carolina

Firstly I want to try and describe how unique the experience of being at a major is. The atmosphere is heightened compared to a typical tour event, and the feeling it creates is magical. Electric energy fills every place you go, whether you are at the driving range, the clubhouse or dining in restaurants at night. There is something special in the air during major weeks, and it’s awesome to be a part of it for the US Open at Pinehurst #2.

If you haven’t already heard, the challenging greens are what makes Pinehurst #2 so unique. They are like upside down saucers! You can’t say good shot until the ball has stopped on the green – and quite often, the ball will keep rolling right off of them. The bermuda grass rough is about 3 to 4 inches in length and will also be tough this week as the ball tends to sit down in it.

Mike and I flew in on Sunday and played the back nine. We really were trying to get a good feel for the greens, focusing on Mike’s short game and hitting a lot of chip shots and practicing putting. On Monday we played the front nine and worked on our game plan for attacking Pinehurst this week. We marked out targets and took a hard look at what we need to do while on the greens. Mike has been practicing hard on the putting and chipping greens this week.

Tuesday we played the back nine again with fellow Canadians David Hearn and Ian Leggatt. I must say that I was really impressed with Hearn’s game. It was the first time we have played with the PGA TOUR rookie and he was very poised and in control of his game. I think we are going to see a lot of good golf from this kid in the years to come and it’s great to have some fresh Canadian blood on the TOUR.

Here is a breakdown of some of the harder holes on Pinehurst this week:

Number 3 is short par 4 at 336 yards and a great hole. Some players will try to hit driver close the green but most will play a long iron off the tee. The green on hole #3 is very hilly, so the approach shot will be important. This is a great spectator hole.

2004 U.S. Open Championship

Number 5 is a long par 4 at 472 yards, where driver will be used off the tee. The second shot will be a mid to long iron into a very severe green. If and when the greens speed up later this week there could be some pros looking like amateurs on #5. Watch for some entertainment on this green as balls could be rolling back and forth from side to side. Golfers will want to take par here and run!

The back nine is very demanding but really starts on 16. A long par 4 at 492 yards, # 16 could play even longer. A new tee was added this year, however the USGA won’t allow it to be in play. If it was allowed, it would be a very tough shot off the tee to get in the fairway then from there a long iron to the green. As the hole stands now it will be a must to get the drive in the fairway or golfers will be laying up this week. You will probably see a lot of bogeys and maybe some doubles on this hole!

17 is a tricky par 3. At 190 yards, a short, 7 or 6 iron can be played if the wind doesn’t blow. This green actually has a few flats spots on it (one of the few on Pinehurst) and with a good tee shot you will see some birdies here.

Hole #18 is the final hole made famous by Payne Stewart in 1999 when he sank an incredible putt to win the US Open. 18 is a 442 yard par 4 and on this hole it is all about the approach shot and landing the ball in the middle of the green.

This is a US Open where I believe the winner will be the guy who makes the most putts from 6 to 12 feet. A lot of solidly hit golf shots will end up off the greens and therefore there will be a lot of chipping and putting this week.

I really think that Pinehurst suits Mike’s game very well, as he can use his imagination on the greens. Mike’s short game has always been his strength and that is what the winner is going to need this week.

My prediction for the winning score this week will be 3-under par.

Thanks for reading,

Brennan Little