The 111th U.S. Open tees off at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland this week. The beauty of this major is that it goes to different golf courses, different venues every year, and many times they’re so different that they lend themselves to different players.
Whatever the set up, success in any U.S. Open requires a tremendous amount of patience.
The fairways are narrow. The rough is very high. The greens have elevated stimp readings. And the distance? In the case of the Blue Course at Congressional Country Club, it’s the second longest track in the history of the tournament, clearly bigger than last year’s venue at Pebble Beach. Congressional will play at a maximum length of 7,568 yards and a par of 71, with seven of the 10 par-4s playing over 460 yards, including all five on the back nine.
Generally speaking, players will try to make a move on the front (particularly holes one, six and eight) and then hold on for dear life on the back which finishes with a 523-yard tester that has been designated as a par-4 for the tournament.
Who are the players to watch?
Luke Donald, showing why he is the World Number One has had no less than 11 top ten finishes in a row. Whilst the length of the course could be an issue for Donald, especially if it rains, his short game is amongst the best in the world and should serve him well in his bid to capture his first major.
Can young Irishman Rory McIlroy use his fade at the Masters to fuel a win here? Can Nick Watney and Dustin Johnson keep a lead after 54 holes? Is Graem McDowell prepared to defend his crown? Will Bubba’s long-ball stay in play often enough for a new Watson to earn a major title? Does his victory at the Memorial bode well for Steady Steve Stricker and his consistent short game? Can Ernie Els step into the time machine and repeat his US Open victory on this course in ’97?
With Tiger Woods out and no player in the top-10 currently having won a U.S Open, and only Martin Kaymer, Phil Mickelson and McDowell with any major wins, this 2011 U.S Open from Congressional Country Club has been considered one of the most wide open in recent memory.
PREDICTION: Look for Phil Mickelson or Lee Westwood to earn their first U.S. Open title.
