Stat profiles for 1500 golfers
The USGA and Bethpage superintendent Craig Currier wanted to provide firm conditions, but Mother Nature didn't allow it
Farmingdale, N.Y. -- When I asked Bethpage superintendent Craig Currier in April about the conditions he would least like to see leading up to the U.S. Open, he said, “I hope it’s not too wet. I’d love to have a week with no rain, and be able to control the water.”
Oh, well. Clearly, Mother Nature is controlling the water, and she seems to want quite a lot of it.
As of Monday, it had rained on Bethpage Black for 12 of 14 days. There was no rain on Tuesday or Wednesday, but that didn’t do enough to dry things out. There was no sun on Tuesday and, in any case, the course was too saturated, even with the Black Course’s sand-based greens.
|
That’s unfortunate, since firm, fast greens were a big part of the blueprint for the Open at Bethpage. And things could get worse before they get better (if they ever do), as steady rain is expected on Thursday, followed by a 30 to 40 percent chance of showers the following three days.
The greens at Bethpage have less undulation than any other Open site, so speed is of the essence. They need to be super-fast, like around 14 on the Stimpmeter, to have an element of danger and for subtle breaks to come into effect. Otherwise, a lot of putts could be made.
The original plan was to get the greens up to speed for the practice rounds and keep them that way for the duration, but they haven’t gotten that quick, and after Thursday it may not be possible.
“If it’s overcast, and there’s not a lot of wind, we could see some low scores,” said Davis. “True, the course will play longer. But players would much rather hit a 3-iron into a green that is holding than a 6-iron into a green that is firm.”
Before the 2002 U.S. Open, the first to be held at Bethpage, there was concern from some quarters that the pros would tear the course apart. They were proven wrong, as only winner Tiger Woods broke par (at 3-under 277). But this could be the year we see plenty of red on the leaderboard.
|
The fairways are a couple of yards wider, on average, than they were in 2002 (and after being softened by the rain, they will be easier to hit). The rain has, of course, thickened the rough, but it was extremely dense in 2002, and it’s shorter this time, particularly in the first “graduated” cut, from which players should have a shot at the green.
True, the course is long at 7,426 yards with three par fours over 500 yards. A number of players weren’t even able to reach the green in two at the 525-yard par-four seventh in the soft conditions of the practice rounds. But it is not the USGA’s intention to set the course up to its full yardage in any round, as various tee positions will be used.
One factor working against the players is that, unlike the PGA Tour, the USGA does not use a “lift, clean, and place” rule when the fairways are wet. So, if conditions are wet enough that the ball starts picking up mud, approach shots will be hard to control.
And on Thursday, the conditions may be miserable enough to make things difficult. The rain is supposed to be combined with winds of 10 to 15 mph and temperatures in the mid-60s. The kind of day most of us would stay inside instead of going out to play golf.
But if we do get that kind of weather, the course will be softer for the weekend. That would thwart the efforts of Currier and his crew, who could find their main task to be pumping water and keeping the course playable instead of grooming the layout to their liking.
0 comments
