[consilio]

Speith is criticising it and playing the best golf, as is Dustin Johnson. It's not good enough for a major. It's like playing the FA cup final on Scarborough beach.

[madsteve]

I agree the course divides opinions.

I only heard Speith saying that it was a marvellous test for the players. Dustin was fulsome in his praise after Day One but I am not surprised if he is moaning after Day Two.

I think your analogy is unfair because the tees & fairways are as good as any used for the US Open. I think only the greens could be open to criticism and even then, we are probably talking about three greens. This event often courts controversy. I remember a few years when it was alleged that players were up in arms because the green were so fast it was like putting on glass after the final day average score was six over par.

I wouldn't be surprised if they set this course up to get average scores like that on Sunday.

As a spectator, I have enjoyed how the course has tested the ingenuity of the players to find a way to the hole. Some players have succeeded (16 under par after round two) while others have struggled. It makes a change from the standard target golf which makes most golf state side so boring.

[Imre varadi]

Put your house on Englands women getting knocked out against Norway !!!

[consilio]

I agree the course divides opinions.

I only heard Speith saying that it was a marvellous test for the players. Dustin was fulsome in his praise after Day One but I am not surprised if he is moaning after Day Two.

I think your analogy is unfair because the tees & fairways are as good as any used for the US Open. I think only the greens could be open to criticism and even then, we are probably talking about three greens. This event often courts controversy. I remember a few years when it was alleged that players were up in arms because the green were so fast it was like putting on glass after the final day average score was six over par.

I wouldn't be surprised if they set this course up to get average scores like that on Sunday.

As a spectator, I have enjoyed how the course has tested the ingenuity of the players to find a way to the hole. Some players have succeeded (16 under par after round two) while others have struggled. It makes a change from the standard target golf which makes most golf state side so boring.

The slopes on some of the greens are far too severe and there doesn't seem to be any reasoning or logic behind it.  Each to their own but it doesn't make for great viewing in my opinion.  

[madsteve]

There is a logic to it. They interviewed the designer yesterday & he said they spent four years over the design, discussing the detail with many different experts including the USPGA.

It makes the risk/reward much greater so shooting for the pin and missing could cost you two shots if you get it wrong.

The Masters is my favourite major followed by the Open but the US Open is keeping me riveted this year.

[Maddix]

It smacks to me of being a little bit like snooker players whinging about tight pockets Make them buckets then and I'll knock a 147 in

[madsteve]

The tournaments where the winning score is -5 or worse are far more challenging and far more fun to watch than the usual tournaments in america with winning scores of better than -20.

This course is taking players out of their comfort zone. The US tour & the European tour advised players to take at least ten days on the course before the tournament to learn the nuances. Only four players took up this invitation then they wonder why they are struggling.

---

Butch Harmon, Dustin Johnson's coach, says that Dustin loves this course. He said we have prepared for this course & he is loving every moment of it.

[consilio]

There is a logic to it. They interviewed the designer yesterday & he said they spent four years over the design, discussing the detail with many different experts including the USPGA.

It makes the risk/reward much greater so shooting for the pin and missing could cost you two shots if you get it wrong.

The Masters is my favourite major followed by the Open but the US Open is keeping me riveted this year.

Which means that they aren't shooting for the pin and laying up safe.  

[Thurnscoe_OWL]

golf ruins a good day on the piss

just cut out the middle man and go straight for 19th hole

[madsteve]

There is a logic to it. They interviewed the designer yesterday & he said they spent four years over the design, discussing the detail with many different experts including the USPGA.

It makes the risk/reward much greater so shooting for the pin and missing could cost you two shots if you get it wrong.

The Masters is my favourite major followed by the Open but the US Open is keeping me riveted this year.

Which means that they aren't shooting for the pin and laying up safe.  

Not at all. The way to the pin is different and not just target golf. Players have to work out the best rout to the hole, which often means using contours of the green to get the ball to the hole. It is no coincidence that the four leading players have all worked out how to attack the course.

---

Happy to go into the final final round with two players backed each way tied for the lead although I do best if Speith wins.

Think the four leaders have played the course best but someone could easily come out of the pack (Oosthuizen, Holmes, Lowry - all three were on my long list here).

Should be a brilliant final round tonight.