Hole lot to watch for

Here are the five key holes for this week’s U. S. Open at Chambers Bay, the first time a U. S. Open has been held at a course in the Pacific Northwest.

No. 1

This is a par 4 or par 5 ( depending on the setup) that ranges from 496 to 598 yards. This marks the first time in U. S. Open history a hole will have a different par depending on the round. As a par- 5, the fairway is generous off the tee and should be reachable in two depending on the wind strength. As a par- 4, the landing area is much tighter and the green will be more difficult to hold with a mid- iron with a significant falloff to the left if players are unable to hold the green.

No. 12

This par- 4 ranges from 281 to 311 yards, which makes it drivable on most days depending on the wind. It is an uphill hole that gives players multiple options off the tee. The fairway is narrow but fairly easy to hit. The green is the largest on the course, but it is severely sloped from back to front and set in a punch bowl. It will repel shots that are not hit into the proper quadrant. The green, which is 58 yards long, also has three tiers. There will be a number of eagles on the hole and a fair share of three- putts.

No. 9

This par- 3 can range from 217 to 224 yards depending on the tee position. The main tee features a 100- foot drop in elevation, and players will be hitting short irons to the green. The USGA created another tee that makes this hole slightly uphill and play much longer. The angle of the lower tee provides a distinct backstop behind the green. A large bunker complex is short and to the right of one of the largest greens on the course. This is one of the most spectator- friendly holes to watch because of its elevation.

No. 15

This par 3 ranges from 123 to 246 yards. This could be the longest or the shortest par- 3 at Chambers Bay depending on the tee in use. It features the only tree on the course, a Douglas fir, behind the green and is one of the most scenic holes on the course. It is a spectator’s viewing dream, with a manufactured amphitheater setting and the Puget Sound as the backdrop.

No. 18

This is a par- 4 or par- 5 depending on the setup that ranges from 525 to 604 yards. Par will be the opposite of whatever par is chosen for No. 1, so Chambers Bay plays to a par- 70 each round. As a par- 5, players will try to carry as much of the bunker complex as possible on the right to allow a chance to reach the green in two. As a par- 4, the goal is to avoid a deep cross bunker. The green is among the most severely contoured on the golf course. A key decision will be whether the USGA makes this a par- 4 or par- 5 for the final round.