Miller pours cold water on record 63
Former US Open winner thinks Erin Hills not Grand Slam level course
The US Open has traditionally had a reputation as the toughest test in golf, but benign conditions have turned this year’s championship into a birdie- fest, much to the lament of former champion Johnny Miller. Justin Thomas on Saturday became the fifth player to post a 63 in a US Open, joining Miller, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and Vijay Singh, but Thomas is the only one to do it on a par- 72 course. Miller, though impressed by Thomas, was not exactly in awe. “Taking nothing away from nine under par, nine under is incredible with US Open pressure,” Miller told golfchannel. com. “But it isn’t a US Op Open course that I’m fami familiar with the way it was se set up. “It loo looks like a PGA Tour event cou course setup. I’m not sure where the days of the 24to 29- yard- w wide fairways that we played every time went. It’s interesting to s see where the USGA [ United Stat States Golf Association] has gone wit with the US Open, being a little m more friendly than in years’ past. “The cou course wasn’t designed to be soft, an and if it was going to be soft, it sh should have been 26or 27- yard- w wide fairways. That’s what made it easy. The guys weren’t afraid to bomb it. It was never that way in the US Open. It was always about really tight fairways and having to be a great driver. This went totally against the tradition of the US Open.” In defense of the US Golf Association, the wide- open course was designed and set up to be played in strong winds and with firm and fast fairways and greens. But the weather has not cooperated with ample rain and only light breezes leaving the layout at the mercy of the world’s best players. Miller shot his eight- under 63 in the final round en route to victory in the 1973 US Open at Oakmont in western Pennsylvania, and he will be more impressed if Thomas, or anyone else in contention, can put together a 63 on Sunday.
“For one, the greatness of my round is the 63 in the last round of the US Open to win by one,” said Miller, now an analyst for the American TV network NBC.
“Everything else is way secondary. If somebody does it tomorrow to win the US Open by one, that’s the specialness of my round. And secondly, Erin Hills isn’t exactly Oakmont.”
Another 63 is perhaps unlikely, because the breeze is finally predicted to pick up on Sunday, perhaps offering a stern test, though the course will probably remain fairly soft.
Brian Harman, at 12- under 204, takes a one- shot over fellow Americans Thomas and Brooks Koepka and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, with Rickie Fowler two back.
There will be an 18- hole playoff on Monday if the leaders are tied after 72 holes.