Torrey Pines Golf Course
Site of the 2008 US Open and Farmers Insurance Open

As a municipal course for the City of San Diego, Torrey Pines is probably the most accessible US Open venue ever. I was fortunate enough to get to play the course and have put together this Torrey Pines hole by hole photo tour, along with satellite photos showing a birds eye view.

Oakland Hills reportedly is in negotiations for the 2020 US Open. It’s already slated to host the 2016 US Amateur.

The legendary course has hosted the 1924, 1937, 1951, 1961, 1985 and 1996 US Opens.

I’m happy for the Detroit Area, but I still want to see our National Championship moved out of exclusive clubs to courses that ordinary (if well-heeled) people can play.

Some thoughts and notes from the final round of the 2011 US Open:

• Congratulations Rory. I think we’ve seen the breakout tournament of the next great player.
• Otherwise, boring. There was lots of movement in the second through ten spots, but Rory’s lead was insurmountable. We knew that going in, though.
• A lot of runners up made statements, including Jason Day, Kevin Chappell, Robert Garrigus, Lee Westwood, Peter Hanson, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen. if Rory wasn’t lapping them, this would have been a very exciting US Open.
• Aside from the lack of competition, there was something missing from this US Open: agony. I thought the course played like just another Tour stop. There was none of the heartbreaking chaos we’ve come to expect from the US Open.
• Sergio Garcia looks like he’s ready to rejoin the big time. I hope he finds a way to make it into the British Open. Maybe placing so high in the US Open will help him get in via the money list.
• Phil looked really tired. I wonder if that arthritis is worse than he admits.

A few thoughts and notes on the third round:

• No need to watch tomorrow. Everyone is playing for second place behind Rory. Even YE Yang knows it:

  Y.E. YANG: I think it’s actually a race for second place right now. I’ll try and catch up with Rory as much as possible, as much as I can. But if he doesn’t let go, it’s going to be a race for second place. I’m playing some good golf right now, actually. There are some areas that I need improvement. But at the same time, I can’t complain at the score I have right now on this type of course. Let the best second place win.

• If Rory does somehow manage to collapse, it would be one of the biggest of all time. In 1996, Norman famously lost a six shot lead at the Masters. In 1999, Jean Van De Velde blew up in the final round and eventually lost in a playoff to Paul Lawrie, who started the day ten back. Rory is eight strokes clear of Yang.
• Remember that YE Yang managed to come from six behind Tiger. So maybe there is a need to watch tomorrow after all.
• Lee Westwood, Robert Garrigus and Jason Day all are within nine. Of the bunch, I think Westwood has the best chance to go low and make it interesting. He was in fine form today.
• Sergio Garcia looks like he’s on his way back. Too bad he wasn’t able to qualify for the Open Championship.
• It looks like the stretch of Majors without an American winner will extend to five.
• What was with Robert Garrigus’ toy putter? The thing apparently is just 28 inches long. I’d like to see him and Adam Scott go head to head in match play.
• There were a record 26 under par rounds on Saturday.
• Its interesting that Jason Day is in the mix once again in his second Major. Is this a major talent brewing?

A few thoughts about the second round of the 2011 US Open at Congressional

• With Rory McIlroy at -11—six shots ahead of YE Yang and nine shots clear of a pile at -2—is there any suspense left for the weekend? I think all we can do is watch to see if there’s an implosion. And an implosion is the only thing that would make this interesting.
• Remember, however, that YE Yang was six shots behind Tiger in the final round of the PGA at Hazeltine and managed to pull it out.
• Before he hit that ball into the water on the last hole, Rory had achieved the mark of being the only player in US Open history to reach thirteen under.
• I don’t think Phil is ever going to win a US Open. That’s really too bad.
• I wonder if the suits at the USGA are upset that McIlroy is making a mockery of their “tough” setup. And I wonder if it won’t prompt them to try to McIlroy proof the tees and pin locations for Saturday. Of course, everyone else will suffer equally ... but at least par will be preserved!
• Lots of big names failed to make the four-over cut, including: , Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Hunter Mahan, Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, Nick Watney, Ian Poulter, David Toms, Camilo Villegas and K.J. Choi
• I liked the marquee group coverage provided by DirectTv. It was fun to follow Phil and Rory. Dustin not so much. He was surly.
• Amateur Patrick Cantlay shot a 67 in the second round. The UCLA freshman double-bogeyed his sixth, then reeled off six birdies without a bogey over the final 14 holes. He’s even par after two.
• Sergio is looking a bit like his old self.
• World Number One Luke Donald, Number Two Lee Westwood and Number Three Martin Kaymer all managed to make the cut. They shot 72, 68 and 70, respectively. Donald is at +4, just squeezing under the line. Not the greatest showing for that trio.

It’s hard to believe, but television golf anchor Ken Venturi—and winner of the 1964 US Open at Congressional—once had an issue with stuttering. Here’s a release from the Stuttering Foundation:

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Greg Wilson
571-239-7474
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Ken Venturi: A Champion to Those Who Stutter

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (June 14, 2011) – Jane Fraser, president, the Stuttering Foundation (http://www.StutteringHelp.org) issued the following remarks concerning Ken Venturi and the U.S. Open:

“As much of the nation tunes in this week to watch the U.S. Open Golf Championship at Congressional Country Club, it is impossible not to think about our friend Ken Venturi. Ken overcame many challenges to win the Open at Congressional in 1964 and go on to become the voice of golf for more than three decades.

“However, Ken faced no bigger obstacle than stuttering. Ken Venturi is a champion to those who stutter, going out of his way to share his personal experience when consulted by a colleague, friend, or child who stutters.

“Ken was the first national spokesman for the Stuttering Foundation nearly two decades ago. As was his way, he offered to fill that role for us because his concern for those who stutter was unparalleled. He had
corresponded over several years with my father, our founder Malcolm Fraser, and said he wished to do whatever he could to help people who stutter.

“As he presents the trophy to this year’s winner, I look forward to seeing our friend Ken and hearing his smooth voice once again.”

###

About the Stuttering Foundation

Malcolm Fraser, a successful businessman and stutterer, went on to establish and endow the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation in 1947. The Stuttering Foundation provides a toll-free helpline, 800-992-9392, and free
online resources on its Website,www.StutteringHelp.org, including services, referrals and support to people who stutter and their families, as well as support for research into the causes of stuttering. Please visit us at
http://www.StutteringHelp.org.