Inside Track: US Open

By Harry Emanuel Last updated: 17th June 2009

Our man Harry Emanuel brings you his pre-tournament analysis of the US Open at Bethpage Black in New York.

US Open

Course: Bethpage State Park (Black)
Location: Farmingdale, New York
Since: 1895
Yardage: 7,426
Par: 70
Low winning total: 277 Tiger Woods (2002)
Field: 156
Cut: Players within 10 shots of the lead after two rounds
Tee Off: Thursday 12:00 GMT

Overview

The 109th US Open takes place on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park which was the host venue in 2002.

The US Open is the second major of the 2009 season and considered to be the most difficult. The winning score in the last four years has ranged from one under par to five over.

Americans have a very impressive record with 53 victories since World War II but have won only one of the last five. Europeans on the other hand have a very poor record and Tony Jacklin was the last European to win the U.S. Open in 1970.

Last Time Out

In 2008 on Torrey Pines South Course near San Diego Tiger Woods sank a 12 foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to force an 18 hole play-off with Rocco Mediate.

After 90 holes with both players still tied Woods finally prevailed at the first sudden death hole to win his third US Open title and secure his fourteenth major victory.

Woods' playoff win over Mediate was the US Open's first since Retief Goosen defeated Mark Brooks in 2001 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Those two playoffs are the only extra sessions in the last 17 tournaments.

Course

Bethpage was designed in 1936 by A.W Tillinghast who also created two other US Open venues (Winged Foot and Baltusrol). In 2001 it was modernised by Rees Jones, known as the 'Open Doctor', and further adjustments were made for this year with the course lengthened from 7,214- 7,426 yards.

It is the second longest course in US Open history with three par fours that measure over 500 yards (7, 10 and 12), three par three's over 200 yards (3, 8 and 17) and the longest hole is the par five thirteenth at 605 yards.

The Par 70 course has narrow tree lined fairways, multiple doglegs and elevation changes, thick rough and raised greens heavily protected by bunkers.

A unique feature at this venue is the raucous New York crowds who are some of the loudest the players will ever face.

Fairways

The fairways have been widened since 2002 but are still narrow by normal standards with the widest measuring just 29 yards. In recent years the USGA have introduced a system of graduated rough intended so "the penalty fits the crime".

On either side of the fairway is a six-foot wide swath of intermediate rough that will be kept at 1¾ inches. Then there will be a 20-foot-wide first cut of primary rough that will be between 2½-3 inches, followed by a second cut of primary rough that will run 4-6 inches.

The further off-line a drive is the tougher the recovery shot will be. If the ball lands a yard or so in the rough, a player usually has the option to go at the green, shots further off line usually require a chip-out.

Wet weather in the build up to the tournament means the fairways are not as firm and fast as expected and the course will play at its longest.

Greens

Bethpage has raised greens with subtle slopes and undulations which are well protected by bunkers. There are very few open fronts and players who miss the fairways will be unable to run the ball up to the green.

A high ball flight is usually required to get the ball to stop close to the hole but the greens are receptive and likely to hold all types of approach shot.

They are set to run at between 13-5-14.5 on the stimpmeter but will not be as firm and treacherous as recent U.S. Opens.

They said

"We've had about 18 inches of rain in the last six or seven weeks so it's soft - hopefully it won't rain anymore - but it's supposed to be wet. So it's going to be long and it's going to be hard." - Rocco Mediate

"It's a ball-striker's golf course. Length will certainly be an advantage. You could call that a driver's golf course (but) it's a ball-striker's golf course because you have to hit the irons well. It's not just about the driver. The driver's only half the battle."- Paul Casey

"One, you have to have every facet of your game going. You have to drive the ball well. You have to hit your irons well, and at most Opens, you know speed on the greens is usually an issue. Not this year, obviously, it being so wet and soft. But generally this is the hardest major we face year in, year out." - Tiger Woods

"The greens are not very fast now, they are very soft and receptive and will hold anything you throw at them, and I don't think that will change, I really don't. I think the scores are going to be okay I remember the rough just off the fairway in 2002 was very severe, it was definitely chip out, whereas this year I think you can actually play out of it a little bit." - Kenny Perry

Horses for Courses

In 2002 Tiger Woods was the only player to break par on his way to a winning total of 277, three under par. His closest rival and runner up Phil Mickelson finished at level par for the tournament.

Woods is attempting to become the first player since Curtis Strange (1988-89) to win consecutive US Opens and only the seventh one in history. A victory this week would bring his major tally to 15 just three behind Jack Nicklaus's record of 18.

Key Holes

The 525 yard seventh hole is the longest par four in Open history. The fairway has been widened on the right but a large oak protects the corner of the dogleg preventing players from cutting off the dogleg. The approach shot will be a long iron or fairway wood to one of the few greens with an open front.

Few players will be able to reach the green in two shots unless the USGA move the tee up and it will play closer to a par five than four.

Weather

Thursday: Wet and windy 80% chance of showers and 10-20mph winds. Friday: 50% chance of showers and winds in region of 5-10mph. Saturday: 40% chance of thunderstorms but light winds. Sunday: 40% chance of rain with winds 5-15mph.

Conclusion

There is no doubt this year's US Open will be a stern test but, wary of the heavy criticism they received in 2002, the USGA have reduced the rough, widened the fairways and will move the tees up on many holes so it is unlikely to be as gruelling despite the added yardage.

The wet conditions in the lead up to and during the tournament means the course will not play as hard and fast or indeed as difficult as recent US Opens. Receptive fairways and greens should allow for decent scoring and expect the winning score to be under par.

Harry Emanuel