In a perverse way, the USGA will be happy with events at Merion this week because it will produce a true Champion.
The winner will be the player who has coped best, both physically and mentally with the various challenges set.
The test here is completely different from the one at The Masters or our Open.
Not only do the players have to take on a unique golf course, they’ve had to deal with bad weather and breaks in play, which are never welcome.
A US Open is a severe test anyway, without having to contend with Mother Nature.
You could be on the hardest hole when you’re hauled off the course, so you’ve a long time to stew over the toughest shot of the day.
This has been an exceptionally hard week for the players. They’ll have had to summon up lots of mental strength and optimum concentration.
No-one likes it when play is suspended at any event. But this is one of their biggest weeks of the year. During a break in play, the mood in the locker room is tense. Players are trying to keep flexible and go through their routines as it’s easy to stiffen up. Then they want to go to the practice ground before going back on the course. At Merion, the range is miles away from the clubhouse, so that only increases anxiety levels.
It’s also difficult when you tee off knowing you probably won’t finish your round that day. The prospect of getting up early to finish the next day and then go out again straight after is always on your mind.
It’s another unnecessary distraction. It only adds to the idea that you’re constantly under pressure.
In a week like this, one of the biggest tasks is to convince yourself everyone is in the same boat. You must believe the good and bad breaks will even themselves out over the four days. This especially applies to mud balls and plugged lies. The heavy rain will have saturated the fairways, so balls will probably gather mud when they land. They adhere to strict USGA guidelines. No provision is made for mud balls and the ball has to be played as it lies.
Knowing what pros are like, there’ll have been a lot of moaning about that in the locker room!
Some of the bad weather has almost overshadowed the US Open returning to a classic venue for the first time since 1981. But don’t be deceived by the yards. The tight fairways have virtually eliminated use of the driver. Phil Mickelson hasn’t even bothered to carry one. It means players are hitting hybrids or long-irons into small greens. It’s made for a brutal test.
The wicker baskets on top of the flags are a different touch too. Although, don’t ask Lee Westwood about them. He hit one on Thursday which sent his ball careering off the green from where he picked up an unfortunate double bogey.
I must offer my congratulations to Paul Lawrie on his award of an OBE.
Paul has been an excellent golfer, but he has given more back with the efforts with his Foundation. It’s helped countless youngsters take up the game in Scotland.
You couldn’t meet a more modest guy, and this award is richly deserved.
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