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With Hollywood a short drive from Los Angeles Country Club, perhaps it’s appropriate that the build-up to this year’s US Open has been laced with talk of plot twists and betrayal. The PGA Tour’s bombshell decision to effectively merge with the rebel LIV Golf organisation, this new entity backed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, has sent golf into a tailspin. Check out the transcripts from this week’s player press conferences. A cursory “how’s the course playing, John/Scottie?” followed by a barrage of questions on “the big news last week”.
The show must go on and this week’s venue – a beefy but strategic 7,423-yard par 70 with five par 3s and three par 5s – looks an intriguing all-round test. But make sure you find a comfy chair; we could be in for some looooong old rounds. With conditions firm and fast, the rough described as “brutal” and a configuration of holes – lengthy par 3s, driveable par 4s and reachable par 5s – that will cause back-ups and delays, rounds will be slow. “I’d be surprised if they’re under six hours,” said Padraig Harrington. Gulp.
