Ok guys… take a breath.We arm chair critics always know it all. Be honest, it's not the fact that someone shot5 under to win (only 8 finished under par) – someone will always win – you can play on a freeway and someone will win. If you take time on Monday and see what the majority of golfers (who are amateurs) are saying then I have to agree with Mr Player. Would you, as an amateur go and play 18 holes on this goat track? If you ever get onto the green, would you enjoy putting on 18 occasions on the hills and valleys (someone said all that was missing were some windmills & clowns) how many balls would you lose, how many holes would you ring? A test – sure it's a test. But what will the next test be – because, each test will need to get more ridiculous. Ask Jason Day if the horizon ever appeared level, ask all the players this morning how their "sea legs" are after walking for over 7 km's at an angle each day. How about being 12 foot from a hole and your ball needs to travel 36 feet to get there, making 2 right and 3 left turns on the way. If you say you would like that, then go play this joke of a course. See what Billy Horschel has to say. Even the winner said of the 18th "this is the dumbest hole I have ever played". Sure he may now defend what he said by saying what he meant was he played it dumb, but we all know that he was not impressed. And I bet that no-one woke up Saturday wishing they had not missed the cut. When a legend, an ambassador, and someone with a knowledge of the game as well as design- of golf such as Mr Player speaks – I take notice. In the next few days, more will speak against this choice of course than for it. Who knows, maybe a FIFA-like investigation should be launched.
No disrespect, Mr. Player, but you need to get over yourself. At the end of round 3, there are 4 players at -4 par so someone is able to figure it out. It was not meant to be a family friendly course… anyone can play those. The course was designed to challenge the best players in the world and that is exactly what is happening. He can go play Allenmore or Fort Steilacoom here in the Tacoma area if he is looking for "easy." I am enjoying the heck out of watching the players struggle… and some triumph… over this very difficult course.
im mixed on this. the fact they are playing on different levels of a old coal mine with the trains in the background is pretty incredible, what a way to rehab an old mine! having said that, its like watching the open championship without the history.
While I agree the layout of this course (fairways, bunkers that ran from the tee box to the green, greens that had puts change direction by 20 yards three times in a single put) was an injustice to a major in golf I think Mr. Player is complaining about the same things I did when I played Lyman Orchards. It was very long (but not quite the 7000 yards he complained about … only 6600 yards), narrow fairways, sloped fairways and greens. Regardless every golfer had to overcome the same course conditions and it evens out the playing field between the elite and the up and coming golfers .. which is GOOD for the game !!!
While I agree with all your thoughts on amateur golf, this is suppose to be hard. It's supposed to be the hardest tournament of the year and if the players are not complaining then it is a pga not a U.S. Open. This tournament unlike all the others par is a great score and I hope it stays that way.
For those of you critical of Gary Player… he is saying that in the future, public players are not going to enjoy this course and perhaps give up on golf. He wants to encourage golfers not turn them off. I couldn't ever play this course and enjoy myself.
All that's missing is the windmill, the clown's mouth and a free game for a hole in one. This isn't golf … this is flat goofy ! The USGA blew this just as they blew the anchored putting ruling.
I disagree with Gary here. I like the fact that the best golfers in the world are being challenged at a major tournament. This course is rewarding precision and accuracy and is requiring strategy on EACH shot. It's a nice change of pace. Love it!
You know, I've always found abhorrent the part of Obamacare that actually requires elderly people to go through "end of life" counseling that encourages them not to seek medical care and accept death. But after hearing Gary's ridiculous rant here, I'm beginning to have a change of opinion.
The guy in booth says that we've had the most 60's in the U.S. Open ever, you have to remember this is a par 70 course unlike most, if not all, are par 72 and that's a difference of 2 strokes so that stat doesn't mean anything. If you take the 60's from here and add 2 then you can give me that stat.
If it was easy they wouldn't call it golf.
HAW!!! Why do I feel zero sympathy for this? Poor, poor Gary. Back to your mansion and report to us from there.
Ok guys… take a breath.We arm chair critics always know it all. Be honest, it's not the fact that someone shot5 under to win (only 8 finished under par) – someone will always win – you can play on a freeway and someone will win. If you take time on Monday and see what the majority of golfers (who are amateurs) are saying then I have to agree with Mr Player. Would you, as an amateur go and play 18 holes on this goat track? If you ever get onto the green, would you enjoy putting on 18 occasions on the hills and valleys (someone said all that was missing were some windmills & clowns) how many balls would you lose, how many holes would you ring? A test – sure it's a test. But what will the next test be – because, each test will need to get more ridiculous. Ask Jason Day if the horizon ever appeared level, ask all the players this morning how their "sea legs" are after walking for over 7 km's at an angle each day. How about being 12 foot from a hole and your ball needs to travel 36 feet to get there, making 2 right and 3 left turns on the way. If you say you would like that, then go play this joke of a course. See what Billy Horschel has to say. Even the winner said of the 18th "this is the dumbest hole I have ever played". Sure he may now defend what he said by saying what he meant was he played it dumb, but we all know that he was not impressed. And I bet that no-one woke up Saturday wishing they had not missed the cut. When a legend, an ambassador, and someone with a knowledge of the game as well as design- of golf such as Mr Player speaks – I take notice. In the next few days, more will speak against this choice of course than for it. Who knows, maybe a FIFA-like investigation should be launched.
No disrespect, Mr. Player, but you need to get over yourself. At the end of round 3, there are 4 players at -4 par so someone is able to figure it out. It was not meant to be a family friendly course… anyone can play those. The course was designed to challenge the best players in the world and that is exactly what is happening. He can go play Allenmore or Fort Steilacoom here in the Tacoma area if he is looking for "easy." I am enjoying the heck out of watching the players struggle… and some triumph… over this very difficult course.
im mixed on this. the fact they are playing on different levels of a old coal mine with the trains in the background is pretty incredible, what a way to rehab an old mine! having said that, its like watching the open championship without the history.
While I agree the layout of this course (fairways, bunkers that ran from the tee box to the green, greens that had puts change direction by 20 yards three times in a single put) was an injustice to a major in golf I think Mr. Player is complaining about the same things I did when I played Lyman Orchards. It was very long (but not quite the 7000 yards he complained about … only 6600 yards), narrow fairways, sloped fairways and greens. Regardless every golfer had to overcome the same course conditions and it evens out the playing field between the elite and the up and coming golfers .. which is GOOD for the game !!!
While I agree with all your thoughts on amateur golf, this is suppose to be hard. It's supposed to be the hardest tournament of the year and if the players are not complaining then it is a pga not a U.S. Open. This tournament unlike all the others par is a great score and I hope it stays that way.
For those of you critical of Gary Player… he is saying that in the future, public players are not going to enjoy this course and perhaps give up on golf. He wants to encourage golfers not turn them off. I couldn't ever play this course and enjoy myself.
All that's missing is the windmill, the clown's mouth and a free game for a hole in one. This isn't golf … this is flat goofy ! The USGA blew this just as they blew the anchored putting ruling.
It would be interesting to hear comments on this from some of the players who missed the cut.
If Gary Player was my dad I'd get a lot more done.
There are PLENTY of "easy" courses in WA were you can golf with your family. This course IS NOT for the average or beginner player. Calm down Gary.
I disagree with Gary here. I like the fact that the best golfers in the world are being challenged at a major tournament. This course is rewarding precision and accuracy and is requiring strategy on EACH shot. It's a nice change of pace. Love it!
He's right
Lie detector, LOL!
Right on Gary!
Agree 100%. Golf's #1 Scientific Teacher
You know, I've always found abhorrent the part of Obamacare that actually requires elderly people to go through "end of life" counseling that encourages them not to seek medical care and accept death. But after hearing Gary's ridiculous rant here, I'm beginning to have a change of opinion.
The guy in booth says that we've had the most 60's in the U.S. Open ever, you have to remember this is a par 70 course unlike most, if not all, are par 72 and that's a difference of 2 strokes so that stat doesn't mean anything. If you take the 60's from here and add 2 then you can give me that stat.