The United States Amateur is one of the most familiar events in the world of golf, but I think it’s starting to lose some steam. Since 1990, Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard, and Tiger Woods have won the U.S. Amateur. Woods, as we all know, won three in a row from 1994-1996. These players have gone on to make their mark in a big way on the PGA Tour and for great reasons. Woods has nine major championships on the PGA Tour, Mickelson has one, and Leonard has one. Since Tiger’s win at the U.S. Amateur in 1996, however, the event winners have struggled in a bad way on the PGA Tour.
Ryan Moore: The Next Big Thing
With Ryan Moore turning pro this week, will we see another amateur champion struggle on the PGA Tour?
Two quick tidbits today. First, thanks to 
In this week’s installment of The Bag Drop, we’ll take a look at last week’s U.S. Open Championship from the equipment perspective. What tools did Michael Campbell use in his stunning victory, what did the boys in the tour van create specifically for Pinehurst No. 2, and further proof of how right the saying “drive for show, putt for dough” really is.
Tiger Woods has long said that the secret to good golf is always being pin high. When you’re pin high, you don’t have to worry about water hazards, bunkers, or steep slopes beyond the green. You may miss right or left, but if you don’t short side yourself, you’ll likely be putting most of the time.
Many said it was Retief Goosen’s U.S. Open to lose, and lose it he did. Opening the day with a three-shot lead, the unassuming South African made one birdie and limped home to a final-round 81. His playing companion, fan favorite Jason Gore, fared no better, carding a +14 84, finishing T49. Olin Browne, who like Gore began the day at even par, carded an 80 to finish T23.
Locust Hill Country Club’s greens were an easy read for Mexican Lorena Ochoa today. With five consecutive birdies on the back nine, Ochoa charged past rookie Paula Creamer to finally win her first title of 2005 by four strokes with a 7-under 65.
The U.S. Open is, without a doubt, the most difficult golf of the year. The USGA holds close to it’s heart the ideal that a course should be well defended against advances in both equipment and talent. Birdies should be a luxury, not an guarantee. It is certain that USGA officials will be smiling as they smoke their post-third-round cigars tonight because only one player is below par: Retief Goosen. The USGA can safely say that Pinehurst No. 2 has teeth and is defending itself against the best in the world. 
This report comes to us from Pinehurst #2 courtesty of Dave Koster, scratch golfer, North Carolina resident, and friend of The Sand Trap.