out pars. Narrow fairways are another characteristic of
this major, and for some reason, neither applied this year.
I don’t have a problem with the choice of venue as Erin
Hills was in great shape and looked like an unbelievable
piece of property. However, the fairways were as wide
as the y’ve ever been, and the staff was cutting the rough
down the day before the first round. Perhaps this was in
reaction to some of the players’ postings on social media
that it was too brutal and unfair. Tour players and the
USGA already have a bit of a strained relationship due
to severe course setups, but as a fan, I kinda like seeing
the best in the world struggle once a year.
As the week went on, it felt more like a regular PGA
Tour event than a U.S. Open. Taking nothing away
from the champion, Koepka played a great round of
golf on Sunday to claim the title and deserves his spoils
– it just didn’t fit with what we’ve become to expect from
this major. Perhaps the lack of wind played a bigger role
in the low scores than I give it credit for, but if Erin
Hills gets another chance, I hope some setup changes
are made.
Once again, we find out that length isn’t a way to
challenge the best golfers in the world. Erin Hills
played at a yardage of 7800 which is the longest ever.
Numerous scoring records were broken as players were
able to attack the hole locations after getting into the
widest fairways ever cut. I hope the USGA isn’t trying
to please the casual viewer by softening the setup of the
courses they play.
For me, I want a winning score in our national
championship to be around par, not 15-under. Maybe
that’s old school thinking and outdated, but when
Fathers Day rolls around next year and I’m holding
back my tears, the winner is making pars during his final
round to hold the trophy.
rulespin – rules quiz
by Paul Kruger
The month of June is named after
the Roman goddess Juno, the goddess
of marriage and the wife of Jupiter, the
supreme god in Roman mythology.
With June being the sixth month of
the year, the object of this month’s
quiz is to “Agree” or “Disagree” that
the player’s score for the hole is six
(6) in each of the following stroke-
play scenarios. If you “Disagree,”
you should be prepared to state the
correct outcome for the hole.
1. Upon arriving at the teeing
ground of the 5th hole, the player
discovers that his caddie hired a
youngster to help carry some of the
player’s clubs after leaving the 4th
green. The player promptly ends
this arrangement before teeing off.
He then completes play of the 5th
hole in four strokes.
2.
The player asks a fellow-
competitor to attend the flagstick
before he attempts a long birdie putt
on a par-5. The player putts, but the
fellow-competitor is unable to remove
the flagstick because it is stuck in the
hole-liner. The player’s ball strikes
the flagstick and drops into the hole.
3. On the way to the 2nd hole, the
player discovers that she began her
stipulated round with 16 clubs. She
immediately takes two clubs from her
bag and declares them out of play.
She completes play of the 2nd hole in
four strokes.
4. The player’s tee shot on a
par-3 ends up against a pine cone in
greenside bunker. The player removes
the pine cone, accidentally causing
his ball to move. The player does not
replace the ball, and holes out with
answers on page 9
Paul Kruger is a PGA professional at The
Landings Club in Savannah, Georgia.
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