Golf's second major of the year is upon us, and all eyes are on the Pacific Northwest as the 115th edition of the U.S. Open begins Thursday at 10 a.m. ET in University Place, Wash., at Chambers Bay.
Here are three things you need to know about this year's tournament:
Embrace the Unknown
Chambers Bay - a mystery to most - is the talk of the tournament. It used to be a sand and gravel pit, used to build modern-day Seattle. And as far as golf courses go, it's a baby, only eight years old.
(Courtesy: Golf Digest)
But the course was specifically designed with the U.S. Open in mind - this is its destiny. And that means we're in for a lot of firsts:
- Chambers Bay is the first Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed course to host the U.S. Open.
- Chambers Bay is the first U.S. Open course to be played on all-fescue turf. On television, it'll look like a links course somewhere in Scotland, but it's actually beautiful Washington State. Balls will be bouncing and we'll have no idea where they'll end up over the next four days.
- The tournament will feature holes with alternate pars for the first time. The par-4 first hole will become a par-5, and the par-5 18th - 604 yards - will transform into a par-4 at 525 yards. When they'll be alternating, we don't know - yet. Mike Davis, United States Golf Association executive director, said: "Would I rather have 18 as a par 4 or a par 5 on the final day? I don't know. If it's a par 5, there's a possibility of making history, making eagle or birdie to win the Open. That's never happened."
- Chambers Bay boasts one tree. That's it. And, yes, this will mark the first time a U.S. Open course will feature only one.
Mickelson's Career Slam Quest
The U.S. Open is Phil Mickelson's white whale. He's finished second a staggering six times.
And the major title is all that stands between "Lefty" and his career slam. Yet its the heartbreaking failures at this tournament that, at 45, motivate him.
I've always been somebody that got motivated by failure, that worked harder because of it. Some people get discouraged by that and it almost pushes them away, but for me, it's always been a motivator.
Mickelson comes into this year's tournament quietly, without a victory since winning The Open Championship in 2013. He's searching for his game, and keeping in the spirit of firsts, what better place for him find it than Chambers Bay.
Adam, Dustin, Jordan, Rickie, Rory … and Tiger
One of the most intriguing aspects of this year's tournament will be watching how golf's best play a course they know little about, and have little experience with.
"If anyone thinks they can learn this course in three practice rounds," said Davis, "they're crazy."
The 115th U.S. Open is anyone's to win, wide open, and for all the talk in recent years about who would follow Tiger Woods, and the state of the sport, take a second to admire the field - because what a field it is.
Rory McIlroy won four majors at 25, and finished fourth at this year's Masters. He's hungry because he knows he's "the best player on the planet." Adam Scott, who's fallen from third in the rankings to 12th, has Steve Williams - 14 majors to his name - back on his bag. Dustin Johnson's returned to the greens with aplomb, ranked seventh in the world. Jordan Spieth, it's worth reminding yourself time and time again, is only 21 years old, somehow.
Rickie Fowler's major mastery, Jason Day's every-two-year-run at the U.S. Open, Jim Furyk's quiet and remarkable consistency, we could go on and on. And has anyone heard a peep about last year's champion, Martin Kaymer? The sport, thanks to its characters, is in excellent shape, and it will shine this week, southwest of Seattle.
And, of course, there's Tiger Woods, too.
- With H/T to Golf Digest and the Star-Telegram
