“Virtually everyone will take 12 strokes [total] for the week on that hole and run to the 18th.” -JEFF SLUMAN
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OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. – At first glance it looks rather innocuous for a par-4.
The problem for the players competing in this week’s U.S. Open is that the hole in question, the 247-yard, uphill 17th, is a par-3, a hole that is sure to separate the pretenders from the contenders.
Before the Open trophy is awarded to anyone Sunday evening, No. 17 will likely have a significant say in who hoists it in triumph.
“Virtually everyone will take 12 strokes [total] for the week on that hole and run to the 18th,” Jeff Sluman said yesterday.
Asked if he thought it might be exciting to have such a daunting par-3 be a factor late in the tournament, Scott Verplank said, “As players, we’d rather have a par-3 [where] we’re hitting pitching wedge.”
During practice rounds the last couple of days, players – even the so-called big hitters on Tour – have hit 3-wood and sometimes driver to reach the green, which is well-guarded by relatively steep bunkers on the front right and left sides.
Phil Mickelson, one of the longest hitters in the game, was banging 3-wood onto the green on Monday.
“I already know what my plan is on that hole,” reigning Buick Classic champion Chris Smith said yesterday. “Try not to have anything stupid happen. Par is a good score there.”
Jay Haas and his son, amateur William Haas, played a practice round together with father hitting 3-wood to 17 and son hitting 2-iron.
“Obviously, it’s a very difficult hole,” the elder Haas said. “First of all, it’s long and you’re hitting into a green that’s like an up-turned saucer that repels shots instead of being receptive. I’m happy just getting myself a putt for par and not taking anything worse than 4.”
The unknown factor that Olympia Fields presents makes this Open compelling, because it doesn’t seem to favor any type of player in particular. It is the way any Open course should be – open to much of the field to win.
“We don’t know who it favors at this point,” Haas said. “There is a tag for so many golf courses, but no one seems to know how to tag this one yet.”
Smith lives within two hours of the course and has never been here.
“The strange thing about this course is not many guys have played it,” Smith said. “This is the unknown golf course. I live an hour and 45 minutes from here (in Peru, Indiana) and I’ve never even been here. I had to look on the map to find out how to get here.”
If the USGA has its way, by the time a new Open champion is crowned on Sunday, most every player in the field, as well as the spectators, will remember this course – and No. 17, specifically – for a long time.
No. 17: 247 yards, par 3.
* Club being hit: Anywhere from 2-iron to driver.
* Tee shot: Uphill and into the prevailing southwest wind.
* Green: Well-protected left and right with big, deep bunkers.
* Putting surface: Has numerous undulations that will lead to many more 3 putts than 2.