Masters Course Tough? Wait For Open

So the players at the Masters were squawking about how the course was toughened up. Wait until they get a peek at Pinehurst for the next major, the U.S. Open.

Augusta National lengthened some holes for the Masters and still didn’t get the 7,175 yards that Pinehurst No. 2 will play for the Open - not to mention that Pinehurst’s par will be 70 against Augusta’s 72.

Then there’s the rough. The first-ever rough at the Masters became a collective wailing wall - and it measured only 1-3/8 inches.

When the early summer heat takes hold of the thick Bermuda rough at Pinehurst No. 2, which will be trimmed at 4 inches - hoo-boy.

“It’s going to be a type of Open like we’ve never seen before,” said Tom Meeks, the United States Golf Association’s rules director.

But the thick rough won’t encircle the greens as it has in past Opens. Those areas will be mowed, leaving space for shots to run off Donald Ross’ saucer-shaped crowned greens.

Get the picture? If you avoid being penalized by the rough, your approach shot, unless it’s close to perfect, probably won’t stop on the green.

“We anticipate a lot of balls in the collection areas,” Meeks said. “That will probably be the real test of the Open.”

Attention good chippers and putters: From your ranks will come the Open favorites.

One such is Lee Janzen, who already owns two Open titles, including last year’s at San Francisco’s Olympic Club.

Janzen knows the Pinehurst course and its pitfalls.

“It’s a different setup than we’ve played, but I think Donald Ross had the same strategy (as the USGA) when he designed these greens - risk and reward,” Janzen said.

Janzen played the course in the ‘92 Tour Championship (though not in Open conditions) and became a big fan.

“I fell in love with the course, and it’s probably No. 1 on my list as a favorite place to play,” he said, “so I’m very excited and can’t wait for the Open.”

The tournament will be June 17-20, and it could be hot, yet another factor.

At most Opens, the greens are kept at a Stimp speed of 12 or more (translated: roller-coaster speed if putting downhill).

“It will be impossible to play at the speed we’ve used in some Opens,” said Meeks, noting the Pinehurst greens will start at about 10.6 on the Stimpmeter.

Then Meeks added: “Unless it’s necessary to tweak a little.”

They wouldn’t - or would they?