2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay Discussion Thread

[HawkNballs]

[ChrisP]

The more I think and analyze, the more I really Phil this week and I'm going to end up putting a few bucks on him this wek. A few things I like:

1) He likes this course, he's positive about this course and he knows this course. And I think the winner is someone who will APPRECIATE this course, which is also why I like Spieth a lot. These two guys "understand" CB.

2) He won in Muirfield in 2013 and this setup reminds me a lot of that, albeit a little longer, but he can handle that. Very brown and dry.

3) He's very motivated. While he hasn't played in the smaller events well, he's finished 2nd in his last two majors which tells me he can still turn it on in the big events when he wants. Just maybe not as much in the Crowne Plaza Intivationals.

It's really hard to pick anyone this week, but one thing I definitely think is the winner is going to be someone who's not whining about the course, and that takes half the field already out of play. Like Spieth said, if you're complaining about this course, you're probably not going to be a factor on Sunday anyways.

[Mr. Desmond]

When they said average score for the US Am in stroke play was 79.3, that was shocking. So was the USGA, and they thoroughly watered the course for match play to make the course "playable."

Looking at TGC intro the course, I hope they wet the course down because some of these greens ... I don't see how they hold the ball unless they are on the softer side.

This ... is going to be interesting.

[Chilli Dipper]

When they said average score for the US Am in stroke play was 79.3, that was shocking. So was the USGA, and they thoroughly watered the course for match play to make the course "playable." Looking at TGC intro the course, I hope they wet the course down because some of these greens ... I don't see how they hold the ball unless they are on the softer side. This ... is going to be interesting.

I'm sure the greens will be getting some attention before Thursday. The USGA can always lay down some water if the greens become too firm, which is much better than the alternative, as we saw at Congressional a few years back.

[saevel25]

I was looking at pictures of the course from yesterday's practice round. I thought the grass looked strange.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/06/14/3838441/fescue-grass-part-of-what-makes.html

Seems like the type of grass used is a fine Fescue, a grass more commonly found over in the UK.

Quote:

“Finally, as a player, it allows for the links game — the bump-and-run shots, and the rollout shots — to react like it is on a trampoline. Your clubface kind of bounces through the shot. And you don’t take big divots, but little divots. You cannot put much spin on it like you can on a softer grass. Fescue is hard, like hitting off a table.”

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/06/14/3838441/fescue-grass-part-of-what-makes.html#storylink=cpy

Be interesting to see how the course plays.

[MrDC]

I think this course is going to be too difficult for Phil to putt well, it's really been his weakness of late and putting this course is other worldy difficult.

But I'm loving this US Open, it's by far the most intriguing in my memory, the course previews alone are compelling, I can't wait!

[Mr. Desmond]

Oh ... Kelly Tighlman?

So melodramatic... discussing Cole Hammer, the 15 yr old amateur in the tourney.

"Cole Hammer was born in 1999, the same year that Payne Stewart won his final US Open..."

which reminded me of his death...

I was expecting her to add "...before his fiery crash that led to his untimely death leaving his young wife and children alone to fend off the world.... such a loss ... and not so long ago. Cole Hammer will be 16 in December.."

[Elrey Desol]

lots of good info in here, thanks!

with this links-type course, i'm guessing the winner will have to use some imagination out there to get it done.

FIGJAM aside, who do you all think has the most creative game in the field this week?

[Mr. Desmond]

lots of good info in here, thanks!

with this links-type course, i'm guessing the winner will have to use some imagination out there to get it done.

FIGJAM aside, who do you all think has the most creative game in the field this week?

Tiger was  "the man" for a long time when it came to short game creativity and pulling it off. It's still there; the question is execution.

Spieth is gaining a reputation for his imagination.

[phillyk]

I'm thinking it will be a guy who hits it far (290+ carry) and has a high soft ball flight on approach shots.  Winning score will be -10 or so.  But it will come down to whether they water the greens or not.  With greens hitting really hard, it will be near par, but I think they will water them overnight making them a bit easier to hit into.  With that in mind, its Dustin, Rory, JB Holmes, or possibly Phil.  I think you got to respect the break of the greens on approach, but not overdo it too much.  I'd like to see a local win, not sure it'll happen though...

[ChrisP]

I think this course is going to be too difficult for Phil to putt well, it's really been his weakness of late and putting this course is other worldy difficult.

But I'm loving this US Open, it's by far the most intriguing in my memory, the course previews alone are compelling, I can't wait!

Yeah, that's my only worry with Phil. I think his knowledge of the course is going to help a lot, obviously his length and the fact he has a lot of confidence coming in....he's finished 2nd in 2 straight majors and finished with a good round last week. And this has to feel a lot like Muirfield to him with the speed of the course. I just worry about his putting. If he can putt just average this week, I think he has a good chance. I'm putting money on 3 guys: Phil, Spieth and Fowler this week. Hopefully one of them cash in for me.

[HawkNballs]

The players complaining about tough conditions can suck it. Maybe their tears will keep the greens from browning. ;)

[nevets88]

What are those little black things on the bottom left w/the electric cords?

[HawkNballs]

They are trying to shock the grass back to life. CLEAR!

[Golfingdad]

What are those little black things on the bottom left w/the electric cords?

Gonna guess something to do with some FoxSports tech.

More importantly ... sheesh, look at all those people on the fairway during the practice rounds!!!  What a circus!!!!

[phillyk]

What are those little black things on the bottom left w/the electric cords?

I'm going to say it would have to do with Fox's technology for TV...  3D technology!!...

[atb5079]

This course just seems absurd. 541 yard par four!!!?!?!?!??!?! They said Bubba or DJ on that hole could drive it 400 after the carry and hit wedge in lol.

Really don't see Phil's explanation of this being a links course. Sure the dry dead looking grass but thats about it. This is undulating like crazy and the tee shots are nuts to hit. The greens aren't expected to roll all too fast for an open. I think when all else fails when there is so much unknown about how a course is gonna play, the cream will rise. If Rory can lock in his driver, he might just run with this like Congressional.

[HawkNballs]

It's like a hybrid links/mountain course.