The Best U.S. Open Course?

This is a very pre-mature post as the third round has just begun but already I'm ecstatic with this year's US Open Course at Torrey Pines. The rough is rough but there are a couple cuts, thus not eliminating the golfer after one errant drive, and the greens are rolling fantastic.

The US Open has been traditionally the toughest course setup which penalizes you for the smallest mistake made. While I believe the pro's should be penalized when they don't hit it straight, I also believe they should be rewarded for making good shots. That hasn't happened in the past.

Over the years, the golfer who made the least amount of mistakes, and got the most breaks won the US Open. It wasn't always the best golfer either. But it was the fault of the USGA for fluke winners or eliminating 3 quarters of the field with extended length and lightning greens.

In my opinion, if you make a quality shot and hit the fat part of the green, you did your job. That being said, a lot of Open course setups were flukie and penalized you for doing such. A big mistake was at Bethpage in 2002 when it was a 220 yard carry just to reach the fairway and during a monster rainstorm, only a few guys were able to reach it. These are the best in the world and now they're being penalized for hitting straight but too short. That should never happen.

Also who can forget that ridiculous pin position on the 18th hole at Southern Hills in 2001 where Retief Goosen and Stewart Cink looked like kids on a putt putt course by 3 putting from 4 feet. It wasn't a lapse of concentration by any means, the hole was on a slight angle and the greens were cement. Yes, it's supposed to be tough but that's just too gimmickie.

The worst thing that happened was at Shinnecock in 2004 when they had to water the 7th green after every group hit because they cut the green so tight they lost it. How the hell could the USGA let that happen? The problem with that was that green putted completely different than all the other ones. The 17th green took a beating as well. If you remember, Phil and Goosen were tied going into the 17th hole, a par 3. Both guys hit the green but while Goosen's stayed, Phils bounced on the hard green and took off way past it. A perfect example of hitting a good shot and getting penalized. This wasn't just a bad break, it was a mistake by the USGA. Phil went on to make double bogey and Goosen won the tournament by 2 strokes.

It seemed that as of late, the USGA was just trying to make a fool out of the guys on the PGA tour during this major. They thrived on scores over par and it wasn't a true test of who was the best golfer. That all changes with this course at Torrey Pines. It's by far the most fair, yet difficult course that we've seen a US Open played on in about 15 years. Hopefully the USGA will take notes on the setup of this course.

That's enough for now, enjoy the 3rd and final rounds!