Now This is Some Luck Golf

The time has come folks. It's foot long rough, ridiculously long holes, cement greens with no bail out whatsoever. No, I'm not talking about the new Masters, I'm talking about the U.S. Open. The major where one single mistake can take you out of a round or even the tournament.

This has always been the most difficult major with scores rarely going below par. The U.S. Open traditionally has been the short hitters major because while they're short, they're straight and safe. That all changed at Bethpage when the USGA decided to make the fairway a 230 yard carry. They haven't made it that bad since but it's now a bombers course because the length has given the short hitter long irons into greens. Of the recent champions during the technology boom, only Jim Furyk would be considered a short hitter and he's not Corey Pavin short.

That being said, it's the biggest field and it's America's 'Open' Championship. Anyone can try to qualify for this tournament. I'm not certain why an amateur or young pro would subject themselves to this torture but if they make the cut and make a run at it, it's instant fame. Remember how great a story it was when Jason Gore was in the final group on Sunday, only a couple strokes back of Retief Goosen. He was a lovable Nationwide member who got into the Open through sectional qualifying. He also fell back to 40th position during a final round in the 80's but was back up on the PGA Tour in about a month having won 3 straight Nationwide events. An achievement that gets you an instant pass onto the PGA Tour.

There's also been some serious heartache at the U.S. Open in recent years. It's been touched upon in many posts on this website but we can't forget the infamous 'Mickelson Meltdown' on the 72nd hole at Winged Foot. I've said it before and I'll say it again, he just hasn't been the same since that hole. Not to mention he was on his way to winning 3 straight majors, his 4th of the last 9, and finally becoming the serious threat to Tiger he always thought he could be. That all ended when he carded a double bogey 6 on the 72nd hole handing the crown to Geoff Ogilvy. Hey, I'm rooting for lefty but he really needs another major to get his head back on straight.

The great thing about the U.S. Open is as long as you make the cut, you have a chance. Big scores are carded at this tournament and the leaderboard changes with just about every hole. Because the scores are so whacky, every shot is exciting and important. Usually the tournaments don't take shape or develop stories until late Saturday (moving day). But this major has drama and excitement every single day, which is why the coverage is so extensive for Thursday and Friday.

The talk is that the course may yield a winning score of just under par. There is a first cut of rough that gives the player to still advance the ball possibly on the green but the second cut is still jail, forcing the player to wedge his way back out to the fairway. But the greens will be lightening and it will be fun to watch.

The talk is Tiger is a shoe in to win this tournament but I wouldn't put my money on it. That long of a layoff from competitive golf can get anyone rusty and there's a bunch of guys who are playing well right now. Plus any time Tiger takes time off his ball striking suffers. That means he has to make putts and he didn't make a single putt at the Masters, his last competitive round of golf. It's no secret that you need to be in the fairway so the winner is gonna be which ever guy's putter catches fire. On these greens, getting a few to fall is gonna make the difference.

So sit back, relax, and watch the pro's humbled by the course that's been given the dubious distinction of hosting the most difficult major, the U.S. Open.