2022 US Open: The Complete Betting Guide For The Country Club
By Matt Hupfer
US Open: The Most Pivotal Holes
The Second
US Open courses often change member par fives to par fours for the tournament, but not often do they convert par fours to par threes.
The second hole plays as a par four for the members but will be playing as a par three for the championship.
This hole is 215 yards on the scorecard but will play significantly longer because it’s uphill. The green is one of the smallest on the course and players will gladly take four pars here.
The Third
One of the longest par fours on the course may be the most intriguing. A tee shot down the right is the safest play but it will leave a blind approach into a well-bunkered green.
A tee shot down the left is ideal, but the fairway severely narrows just past the landing area. A 340-yard carry is required to clear the rock on the right.
The tee box is elevated 30 yards above the fairway so the longest hitters may be able to clear the rock downwind but anything that doesn’t cover the fescue-covered embankment will take a miracle to save par. The strategy off the tee on this hole will be fascinating to watch.
The Eighth
The par-5 eighth hole is the best scoring opportunity on the course and it’s imperative that players take advantage of the only easy birdie opportunity.
A drive in the fairway will give a player a great chance to get home in two, but anything in the rough off the tee will make par a great score.
The false front will repel any balls with poor spin control into a collection area down the hill.
The Seventeenth
The short par-4 17th hole presents the second-best scoring opportunity on the course.
Many players will go with less than driver and have a short approach into a two-tiered green. The longer hitters will be enticed to cut the corner of the dogleg left and try to drive the green.
Justin Leonard holed a lengthy birdie putt on this hole to win the Ryder Cup for the United States in 1999.