USGA had an impassioned speech yesterday at the USOpen calling for better controls on equipment.
US Open
- Thread starter PsuLIT
- Start date
I was there yesterday and it really is a beautiful course. What you can't get a sense of on tv is how hilly it is.
It looks much better when standing at the tees than from an aerial view. Aerial views make links courses look bland. Much more elevation change and hidden trouble when viewing this course from ground level. I prefer trees but it is still quite beautiful, unless you're in the rough or trap.
I’ve always thought that today’s ball technology is at the heart of the issue around better control on “ equipment”…
I believe that -4 recorded by JJ Spaun is tied for the 4th lowest round at Oakmont during a US Open (and only the 6th person in history to have carded a -4 or better at Oakmont during a US Open). Pretty impressive considering that this is the 10th Open played at Oakmont. Lowest US Open rounds at Oakmont:
1. -8 Johnnie Miller (R4 1973)
2(t) -6 Gene Borek (R2 1973) and Lanny Wadkins (R4 1973)
4(t) -4 Andrew Landry (R1 2016) and Jim Furyk (R4 2016) and J.J. Spaun (R1 2025).
1. -8 Johnnie Miller (R4 1973)
2(t) -6 Gene Borek (R2 1973) and Lanny Wadkins (R4 1973)
4(t) -4 Andrew Landry (R1 2016) and Jim Furyk (R4 2016) and J.J. Spaun (R1 2025).
Scheffler doesn't appear to have his "A Game" at the moment - but one of his lesser acknowledged skills is his ability to grind until his A-Game kicks in.
Man, Scheffler's putter just killing him - two 3-putts and just missed a 3-footer through 15 holes.
When Oakmont is playing this soft and forgiving, it's going to come down to putting. JJ Spaun only had 26 putts today in his round of 66. For comparison, Scheffler needed 36 putts today in his round of 73 (putting is the weakest part of Scheffler's game imho - he's very streaky with the short-stick and runs hot & cold... very inconsistent. He had two 3-Putts today and missed a 3-footer on 16. He missed countless attempts from the 8 - 20 foot range. Don't remember him making anything from that range despite tons of opportunities.).
I believe second place Lawrence had 27 or 28 putts today shotting 67.
Scheffler gave away 6 to 8 shots with his short-stick today just to an average putting day. 36 putts for a round for a PGA Player (let alone a world #1) is just awful - just flat bad.
I believe second place Lawrence had 27 or 28 putts today shotting 67.
Scheffler gave away 6 to 8 shots with his short-stick today just to an average putting day. 36 putts for a round for a PGA Player (let alone a world #1) is just awful - just flat bad.
Yeah, point taken though Scheffler did have about a 15-foot birdie putt on 11.
No doubt - Burns' 5-under 65 today is pretty eye-popping. That is tied for the second lowet round ever recorded at Oakmont on a day almost everyone is going backwards.
I caddied in that '71 Women's open. Unfortunately drew an amateur with attitude. She didn't make the weekend.
Grew up not far from Kahkwa. Not my home course, but I would caddy there once a week just so I could play on Mondays (caddy's day). Eagled # 13.
My grandparents owned a 50 acre property adjacent to the course (west). As I understand it, they gifted land to Kahkwa so they could lengthen one of the holes. They must have given my grandparents a lifetime social membership in return. One of my earliest memories was of my grandfather taking me there to swim in the kiddie pool. I had to have only been 2-3. Beautiful place!
Caddied there as well. Have played the course many times - in tournaments and as a guest. Not the longest course, but pretty tight fairways and very fast, difficult greens. The conditions at Kahkwa are immaculate - the greens roll perfect. You will rarely play a course in better condition than Kahkwa.
Man Lawrence just leaking oil.... At one time he was the sole leader at -6 and 3 clear of the field - he's absolutely limping home at this point (now +1 with 5 holes remaining). He's a good example of just how quickly Oakmont can humble you and just thoroughly grind you down with just one tough hole after another - it just doesn't give you an opportunity to come up for air once it drags you under.
Gotta believe the leaders are praying for rain tonight (it is supposed to rain) - if I'm out front, i'm praying for rain that will ease things off a bit and allow you to try and hold serve in a par-fest.
I understand that it's Pennsylvania but $7.49 for a Bavarian Pretzel?$12 for a burger
The Caeser Salad at $9.95 + $1.00 for chicken looks like the entertainment value to me.
Last edited:
Simple answer to the problem. Reduce the distance that golf balls travel. Jack Nicklaus has advocated for this for a long time. If the clubs are more precise and better engineered, I have no problem with that at all. The very good golfers can prove their skills.
No, I don't really travel that much. When I was younger my father was a teaching golf pro and I got on some very good Cleveland area golf courses. I played Kirtland which was probably the number one golf course in Cleveland in the '60s and '70s. Also played the Country Club, which is unfortunately short by modern standards, but I believe that hosted a very prominent tournament in the 30s or 40s. Also, played Pepper Pike, which had an exclusive membership and was in very good condition. Additionally, play Shaker Heights through a connection in the pro shop.
All this discussion brought back memory that I caddied in the final US Open qualifier in Cleveland one year. Caddied for Lionel Hebert and Gary Bauer. Almost caused a disaster on the 18th hole when I mis-clubbed Hebert.
So far, I think the course is fair and the tournament is fun to watch. If the greens get hard which doesn't look likely then it is possible that the golf course will be unfair.
Scheffler would be right in contention if he putted even halfway decent. Another horrendous putting day for him. Three-putted the 1st Hole. Missed 4 others from inside 6 feet....
Just a horrendous Tournament putting-wise for Scheffler.
No trees, grass strips in the bunker, and a highway running through the course. What's not to like?
I know. Deep rough and two par 4s over 500 yds.
They said the same thing about Oak Hill. Drives landing in the Fairway didn't roll through to the rough. Also it was easier to go at the pins.
That's difficult for an old guy like me to understand. I rely on a lot of roll on dry hard fairways.
I had the opportunity to visit Oakmont the summer before the trees were removed, A worker explained the plan and I was shocked the membership elected to make such a huge change to a beautiful course.
But after seeing the new (actually original) version, I like it better. And I enjoy watching the best players in the world have to think and execute a wide variety of shots to produce a round near par.
On a separate note concerning Donald Ross, a friend in Warren tells me the original design of Conewango Valley Country Club was done by Ross. It was a beautiful course in its day, but I’m told the economy in that area has made keeping up an adequate private membership difficult. As a result, the course isn’t what it used to be.
But after seeing the new (actually original) version, I like it better. And I enjoy watching the best players in the world have to think and execute a wide variety of shots to produce a round near par.
On a separate note concerning Donald Ross, a friend in Warren tells me the original design of Conewango Valley Country Club was done by Ross. It was a beautiful course in its day, but I’m told the economy in that area has made keeping up an adequate private membership difficult. As a result, the course isn’t what it used to be.
The U.S. Open is so quirky in some years and this looks like another. Sam Burns, this Spaun guy. Who are they and will they ever do anything again close to this? I think Andy North won three tournaments in his career and two were U.S. Opens so he gets the head analyst job at ESPN. Lucas Glover, Geoff Ogilvy, Webb Simpson, Michael Campbell, Graeme McDowell, Gary Woodland, Matt Fitzpatrick. A Who's Who of one hit wonders or close to it. Just odd it happens at the U.S. Open.
Sam Burns is 5 time winner on tour and number 1 putter on tour
He probably is not a great example and I don't follow golf closely. However, let's see how many majors he wins beyond this one if he holds on. Regardless, I think my point holds and certainly if this Spaun guy wins or has he won 10 times this year and ranked
5th in the world?
Burns is a good player and not out of question that he could win another if he holds on here. He played well on us open before. Spaun is different. Most likely a one and done if he wins this but who knows. Adam Scott is only one stroke off lead and he won a major. Lots of golf left
Agree. But one issue: makes being spectator really tough on hot sunny days…no where to hide.
All the players named above were good players with good careers except Campbell who flamed out quickly and spectacularly. Other names you could add to the list are Lee Janzen and Scott Simpson.
Epic !!!!! I have had the luck of being able to play some of the greatest courses in the World. And as amazing as some of the destinations overseas…without a doubt to me the very best are here in the US ; Yeamon’s Hall , Secession , Brandon Dunes , Sage Valley , Shinnecock ( a favorite)…List goes on and on…
Can’t imagine the pressure caddying at a US Ooen Qualifier..but what an amazing experience !!!
Huh? Sam Burns is ranked 22nd in the current World Rankings and JJ Spaun is ranked 25th in the World Rankings. They're nobodies??? Calling Andy North a nobody is ridiculous - it'd be like calling John Daly a nobody winner of 2 Majors (the British Open and The PGA) because he had few other tour wins. Sam Burns has 5 Tour event wins which is nothing to sneeze at. On the 2025 Tour Money Leaders JJ Spaun is 12th with $5.344 Million and Sam Burns is 23rd with $3.543 Million. Calling JJ Spaun, Sam Burns and Andy North nobodies is beyond laughable.
Good players but seemingly played out their butt for 4 days to win the U.S. Open. Gary Woodland? 4 career victories. Matt Fitzpatrick? 2 PGA wins and 8 Euro wins. I guess that is decent. Again my point is that these nondescript run of the mill guys rise up out of obscurity for the most part to win of all tournaments the U.S. Open.
I consider Matt Fitzpatrick to be a very good impressive young player. Debatable whether he should be included on that list who has played poorly the last 2 years. Gary woodland, unfortunately because of the sickness, I would classify as a good solid player but nothing special outside of his US Open win. (Which obviously is a very big deal). But if we are talking about players who are good but not elite in terms of those other good players on the tour, I would call him a good but not elite player.
Some players are just built to play well in the US Open in the sense that they can grind it out there but are not that competitive outside of the typical US Open golf courses. Andy North is a prime example of that. Other than his two US Open wins, he only won one other tournament. His record in the other major tournaments is not very good. (See Wikipedia)
Last edited:
