It never fails…….every year at the U.S. Open, the goal for the USGA is to make the conditions as tough as possible, making life miserable for the players. The man who is in charge is Mike Davis. He has the task of setting up the course from tee to green, trying to put a premium on every shot. There will be errant tee shots, missed green approaches, poorly played pitches and chips, and misread putts on lightning fast greens. For the players to survive and persevere in what they say is the hardest test in tournament golf, keeping them thinking at all times and forcing perfect execution in every situation is the goal. Diabolical! 
With the length of the course this year, long hitters should have the advantage. In the last five years, long hitters such as Glover, Woods, Cabrera and Ogilvy have won the tournament with the exception of last year when Graham McDowell won at Pebble Beach, which is considered a shorter course by Tour standards. Accuracy off the tee is always at a premium as the fairways are narrowed and the rough is usually past ankle deep, making shots into the green out of the rough nearly impossible.
While most winners don’t miss many greens, when they do, they normally pay the price with a very difficult short game situation. However, most will miss greens in the proper place due to correct strategies. This will allow them to execute these delicate shots with a fairly high percentage, leaving makeable par-saving putts. With the tournament being played at the lengthy Congressional Country Club, par being 71 instead of 70, and the longer hitters having more options off the tee, look for the long hitter to make the most of this week’s U.S. Open. Who do you like?
