OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) – Competitors started to arrive in OAKMONT on Sunday, equipped with umbrellas and aspirations for a US Open that lives up to its reputation as golf’s most daunting challenge.
Jordan Spieth was among the first to show up, playing through steady rain, navigating nine Saturdays and 11 holes. The USGA had a rule prohibiting players from commencing on hole 10. Spieth began on hole one, made his way back to the ninth, and then proceeded towards number 10.
It was a lengthy wait, and the conditions were soggy. With rain on Friday soaking the area and more expected Sunday afternoon, it appeared that Oakmont remained formidable.
“This is the nature of this course,” says Spieth. “They aren’t altering anything about it. You hit a solid shot, and you’ll be rewarded; otherwise, you’re in serious trouble. It’s pure golf with no frills involved.”
Sunday also marked the deadline for withdrawals as the final field was established. Ryan Fox won the Canadian Open and was one of three players—Cameron Young and Bud Corey being the others—who moved into the top 60 in the latest world rankings to secure a spot.
Corey and Young completed the 36-hole qualifier held last Monday, following Johnson and Eric Cole, who also qualified in Columbus, Ohio. Cole was the second alternate in Columbus, as both Corey and Young participated there.
The USGA has reserved six spots for others who might have ascended into the Top 60. The remaining three were allocated to Dallas Qualifying Alternative Douggym, alongside Kanaya and Rikikawamoto from Japan.
In previous rounds, Sahis Tegara had to withdraw due to injury. He was replaced by Matthew Jordan from the English site as an alternative.
Spieth maintained his score throughout the day, sinking an 18-inch birdie putt after a short Par-4 17, finishing 2 under for the day. He also focused heavily on chipping and putting. At one point, he had his caddy toss a golf ball into a bunker; the thick grass hid the ball until he reached the sand.
The rough, as anticipated, was primarily dense, becoming even trickier due to the wet conditions.
Spieth wasn’t overly concerned about the grass outside the fairway. Everyone would face that challenge at some point during the US Open. That’s just part of the game.
“If you don’t play the correct shot or make a mistake, you’ll be in trouble,” he said. “It’s not catastrophic to make mistakes, but it can cost you half a shot.”
Over 60 players from the US Open field participated in the memorial two weeks ago, characterized by unusually long and thick rough. Grass conditions weren’t a problem in the Ohio Valley this year. The key difference lies in Oakmont’s green speed, purported to be the fastest in the country, and the minimal forced carries.
“This test here provides more opportunities to think you can achieve more than required,” Spieth mentions. “That will be the primary challenge this week. It’s okay to swallow your pride; bogeys won’t ruin your game. That’s just how it goes.”
The forecast indicated scattered showers on Monday, with a reprieve from rain expected over the weekend.
Oakmont has hosted its 10th US Open, and its reputation ensures a tough challenge. Yet, initial impressions can sometimes be deceptive.
Shane Lowry recalls his first look at the course on Sunday before the 2016 US Open. He began on 10 and played five holes. A week later, he entered the final round with a four-shot lead.
“When I played it that Sunday, it was solid, fast, and windy. There was a bit of rain that week, which helped us,” Lowry remembers.
Conversely, Adam Scott played Oakmont for the first time just a week before the 2007 US Open.
“I played really well that day, but Jeff didn’t, which made me feel quite confident,” Scott reflected. However, when he returned a week later, he struggled with his game.
“I hit six greens over two days and flew back to Australia,” he recalled. “It was a tough experience.”
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Source: apnews.com