Will this Code of Oakmont Action at US Open? Here’s what the players say

Oakmont, without. – When Preston Summerhays played in amateur in the US Oakmont country club four years ago, the 19-year-old then faced In the open field Will treat diligently starting Thursday morning. The course was much softer than this week (due to its hard rain), more than 100 shorter (when everyone lay) and much less criminal when players lost the right roads. Yes, there were approximately, but nothing like five inches of shag carpets in the game now.

The most forgiving configuration meant that players could become creative in the way they attacked the course and become creative. In at least half a dozen holes, some deliberate contestants brought their balls into the way with the aim of getting the most favorable angles in the greens.

This strategy, which probably attracted gases from the best members of the Oakmont tradition, was employed, among other holes, in the PAR-4 1 perfume, where the players would bomb their shots up to the 9th Fairway; in par-4 10, where players would aim for the 11th Street; on 11, where they bombed their return balls at 10; and at 14, where the target of the 12th road had a sound strategic meaning. After Travis Vick attacked the 14th Green from the 12th street in his second round match that week, he said, “(PIN) was a right right, so the smart thing to do was take it 12. In that way I had 90 yards with a clear angle.”

Summerhays that week chosen to play each of Oakmont holes as their designer, Henry Fowns, aimed at playing. But at least one of Summerhays’ opponents did not. In the first round, Summerhays Drew Vick, who went Rogue, while Summerhays remembers it, with at least four of his TEE balls.

“It was actually a good game because The Rough was super thin. Nothing like we have here this week,” Summerhays said Wednesday. Summerhays added that he himself did not play alternative ways because he did not try it during the rounds of practice and thus did not feel comfortable under the gun. Vick beat, 2 and 1.

Summerhays, who is now 22, has returned to Oakmont as an open competitor in the US. Start his third open start, but the first as a professional; He made his own debut at the Korn Ferry tournament earlier this month. The course that greeted him during his return visit looks familiar but also different. It is longer and, at points, more understandable.

When asked after his round of Wednesday’s practice if he or other players could be tempted to play the adjacent streets as his amateur friends did, Summerhays did not need much time to think.

“You won’t leave with it this week, not how thick it is harsh,” he said.

Ah, yes, the rough foot of the foot. It has been a hot topic this week, with players telling stories of horror in practice, to need to hacked or generally simply by guests how balls can come out of thick things. Nine-Duri-which help rubbing heavy grass and starting balls-have been a popular bag addition this week. Caddies can also be wise to load weedwackers.

Jon Rahm, who won the US Open at Torrey Pines the same year Summerhays played at the American amateur at Oakmont, said he talked with Summerhays about the fraudulent code players tried to unlock in 2021. But Rahm is not convinced that the strategy would work this week. In fact, he advised Summerhays against him. “I said,” If you ever play an open US there, there is no chance that you are doing it, “Rahm said.” If you are, you’re taking a great danger clearly. “

Gil Hansewho has organized the latest Oakmont restoration, echoing Rahm’s comments. Speaking at a Rolex event in the club on Wednesday morning, he said he would be surprised to see anyone pressing not only because of the harsh severity but also because of the crowds. In the amateur, the spectators were rare; In the US Open there will be up to 40,000 fans roaming on the property and all kinds of hangers inside the ropes. Frankensteining holes would not be the safest practice.

Summerhays take it, especially after playing his practice rounds this week.

“In hole 1, the boys were down 9,” he recalled for the 2021 amateur. “I don’t see it happening this week. In Hole 9, guys will go down 1. That’s not happening. Ten and 11, I don’t think it’s happening, it’s happening.”

Because of the rough, but also because of the rotation, especially in the 10th descent. “Because it’s strong this week,” said Sumemrhays, “you will need to hit a really good blow there to get the ball to fly rough, but to stay short from rough.”

Ok, so we’re all in agreement then?

Um, well … not enough.

Tuesday, Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine asked Bryson dechambeauWho has made a hobby to recreate the way the game is played, if you go to the Alt-Fairway road can make sense in any hole.

“Not specifically,” he said. “But it’s a great idea. Thank you. I’ll go check it now.”