Dastardly, Devious and Diabolical. That's Oakmont

Filed in archive Golf Courses on June 13, 2007

Oakmont's Diabolical 8th Hole
Courtesy: Christopher Hunt

They call Oakmont the toughest golf course in America. And that's before the USGA gets its hands on it.

Remember all those comments about Augusta having too tough a set-up? The pros would embrace Augusta in a heartbeat now.

In typical USGA fashion, Oakmont has narrowed fairways and rough that is so deep that it gave Phil Mickelson a sore wrist a week or so ago and it hasn't healed yet.

In fact, Mickelson, who played just 9 practice holes yesterday, has a wrap around his wrist.

Mickelson says he can play, pain or no pain and he'll be fine "as long as I stay out of the rough". In other words, Phil has already thrown in the towel.

But there are other golfers who, during their practice rounds, have also been felled like a sapling by Oakmont's degree of difficulty.

Canadian Stephen Ames played just 9 holes yesterday, as well. "I'll get beat up enough during the tournament itself", he said afterwards.

Much of the pre-tournament conversation from the players centers on the par 3 8th hole. It's massive: 288 yards in length from the back tees and that's exactly where the pros will be playing it from.

And if there's a head wind blowing, 90% of the field won't be able to reach the putting surface in one.

Then there's the par 5 4th hole: a mere 609 yards off the tee.

Oakmont is over 7200 yards long. That's not the longest course but for sure it's not the shortest, either.

And with USGA ordained rough and narrowed fairways, it will be diabolical, all of which means this Open will be as unpredictable as Zach Johnson winning the Masters.

I, for one, will watch every day. Week in and week out, touring pros routinely rack up birdie after birdie on the run-of-the-mill PGA courses. Scores of 19 under and higher are needed just to finish in the top ten. Frankly, it's boring to watch.

It takes a USGA tuned course to really bring out the golfer in the man. Should be a whole lot of fun to watch.