Fescue grass, irregular bunkers stiff test for golfers at Erin Hill course
As has been the case with just about every US Open, there has been a lot of talk about the Erin Hill course set-up as well. The latest golf course to join the major rota looks like a very interesting layout, but the thick and tall fescue grass just outside the second cut has riled up many in the field.
On Tuesday, the United States Golf Association (USGA) decided to mow down the fescue in many areas of the golf course. The feeling is that the USGA were reacting to the players’ complaints that balls were getting lost in them, and it was virtually impossible to get out from there, even with wedges in hand.
I have played several US Opens and I must admit I am bit of a fan of the way these courses are set up. Having said that, I wasn’t too enamoured by Chambers Bay, which was the only US Open golf course I did not fully appreciate. My first argument always is that the course is same for all the 156 players in the field. Nobody is going to have an undue advantage out there.
Secondly, it really is no secret that the USGA tries to host a championship that truly remains the toughest test in golf. For one week in the year, players should be prepared to see something that is different from a well-manicured parkland course.
The fescue would definitely give headaches to players, but let’s not forget that the USGA tried to be fair by providing some of the widest fairways that I have ever seen for a US Open host venue. Most fairways this week are 50-60 yards wide, and then there is the first and second cuts. If you still hit it into the fescue, you’ve got to take the bitter pill and move on.
Another hazard that players need to be careful about are the irregular shaped bunkers, which are so wafer-thin at certain places that it is virtually impossible to get a full swing of the wedge. You will see players hitting shots in completely opposite directions when in there. A couple of things about the Erin Hills this year, which makes me think that the winning score would definitely be in the range of eight-to-10-under par. It is a massive golf course at almost 7,800 yards, which will surely play longer because of all the rain they have been experiencing. The fairways and greens will be soft. So, if you can keep the ball in the fairways, the approach shots become a bit easier.
Scoring opportunities
Also, it is the first par-72 course that is being used by the USGA in more than a couple of decades. That means there are going to be at least four par-5s, which is a bit of a luxury in a US Open. Par-fives are always going to be scoring opportunity for world-class players. Looking at the favourites, I’d say players who hit it far and straight will have a distinct advantage. So, I won’t be surprised if Dustin Johnson manages to win back-to-back crowns. He is No. 1 in the PGA Tour’s shots gain — tee to green stats, and he also has a very solid game on and around the greens. Those are also the reason why I’d not count Rory McIlroy out of the equation.
I also like the chances of Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia because they are not just strong off the tee, they are also exceptional shotmakers with their irons. Jordan Spieth has had a prior experience of the golf course as an amateur, and while that may not count for much given the different set-up of the golf course, his putting is a weapon that always makes him a contender.
Players will always make the odd mistakes but if they can play about 65-68 solid holes out of the 72, I think they will have a good chance for the US Open crown.
Jeev Milkha Singh is a four-time champion on the European Tour