Rory's romp was impressive, but I prefer the torcher chamber when it comes to U.S. Open
Was that the U.S. Open I was watching, or the Walt Disney World Classic?
While Rori McIlroy’s performance was worlds better than any golfer on the planet this past weekend, you can’t compare it to Tiger Woods’ 15-stroke victory in 2000. McIlroy was splendid as he fired at pins for four days. But it must be said that those pins stood defenseless on what had to be the most inviting greens in U.S. Open history.
He took mighty swings from the tee box for sure … nothing timid in his beautiful motion. But timidity was easier to overcome knowing there was not an automatic pitchout from the “rough” framing the fairways.
And his putting was a thing of beauty. He rarely stroked a putt that didn’t have a chance of dropping in. But these Congressional C.C. putting surfaces weren’t exactly pushing the outer limits of the stimpmeter.
I loved that the young Irishman won this championship. I was impressed that he rebounded with such authority from the Masters collapse in April. And I especially loved how well he handled himself, not only in victory, but also in the worst kind of defeat.
Rory McIlroy is a class act, and will probably become the No. 1 ranked player in the world in the very near future.
But his accomplishment at Congressional pales to Tiger Woods’ victory at Pebble Beach, where the U.S. Open setup we have come to expect was baring teeth. Woods dominated a course that destroyed everyone else in the field. Ernie Els, Tiger’s closest competitor, was 3-over-par. At Congressional, 20 players finished under par for the week. The previous 11 U.S. Opens COMBINED only had 20 players beat par.
Some try to blame the weather, and I am sure it had some effect. Record heat in the D.C. area was followed by lots of rain. But rain has fallen on the U.S. Open many times before, and yet the toughest tournament in the world stood firm against the field.
You have to look at the USGA course setup: length of rough, pin placements, speed of greens and course length.
Two-time U.S. Open champion Curtis Strange, from the broadcast booth Sunday said, "It's not hard enough. It's supposed to be the toughest tournament in the world.”
I can watch birdie ball nearly every weekend of the year from most any other PGA Tour stop.
On Father’s Day weekend at the U.S. Open, I want to watch man’s struggle against the elements. This one was simply a pleasant walk in the park for a nice young man.
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