The US Open is upon us as the world watches on. Here are 11 things that will make the event one to remember.
1. No rules dramas
Last year was a disgrace. 2010 was equally unpleasant. And there’s Tiger’s ‘illegal’ drop at The Masters and the worst, Lexi Thompson’s recent ‘call-in’ violation. Let the play speak for itself and let the best man win.
2. A South African winner
Probably should be number one on the list and we’ll even take a rules fiasco that benefits a Saffa this week, especially on Sunday. When was the last time we had a South African on top after 72 holes in a Major? Ernie Els back in 2012, and that was following on the back of Louis Oosthuizen’s win in the same event in 2010, and Charl Schwartzel at The Masters in 2011. It really doesn’t matter who gets it done, as long as the flag next to the winner’s name is ours.
3. Fair TV coverage
This is out of our hands, but we can only hope that the American broadcasters ‘spread the love’ and show a variety of the world’s best, along with the USA’s best, throughout rounds one and two. There’s no joy watching Bubba Watson slugging it away at +7 when Alex Noren is on a hot streak.
4. Phil makes his first round tee time
Almost certainly won’t happen, but it would make for some story. As you know by know, Phil needs a four-hour rain delay to make his tee time as he races, or rather flies, back from his daughter’s graduation.
5. A ninth-hole disaster
Have you seen it? Some of the bunkers on Erin Hill’s signature are almost impossible to get out and on to the green. Watching a ninth-hole disaster would give us amateurs some satisfaction.
6. ‘Beef’ making the weekend
The team at Compleat HQ love ‘Beef’ – having him around for the weekend and hearing the chants only add to the occasion. Come on Beef, make the cut.
7. Rory finding some form
He almost won in South Africa, but his back/rib injuries have severely hampered his progress this year. He might not win it this week, but having his name there and thereabouts on the leaderboard gives those above him a little bit of the same feeling that Tiger inflicted on his peers all those years ago.
8. Jason Day finding some form
The Australian has had a rough year in the wake of his mother’s health scares. Yet to win this season, Day arrives in Wisconsin as the world number three, but without any real form to speak of. Okay, he’s made $1 633 400 already this season, but the world’s best wants wins, let’s hope he can put the first six months of the year behind him and come out firing.
9. A fight to the 72nd hole
Last week in the USA, there were 9 players tied for the lead with 9 holes or so to play, while in Austria there were six or so players in line for the win before Dylan Frittelli rallied late on. Let’s hope to avoid a repeat of Tiger’s 2000 win when he won by a country mile. Let’s keep the excitement going late into Sunday night or even Monday morning.
10. An unknown contender
Remember Andrew Landry? The US player that was 624th in the world this time last year? He led after round one and had his name on the first page of the leaderboard for three rounds before finishing 15th. Who doesn’t love an underdog and the impossible dreams that they arrive with at every Major?
11. No rain delays
The coverage is on late enough, a rain delay only makes it harder on the SA public to watch, especially during rounds one and two when the coverage of our players is usually hard to come by.
Photo: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
