The Rundown: 123rd U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club

The third Major is upon us as we head to Los Angeles for the 2023 U.S. Open.

This year’s U.S. Open will be held at LA Country Club which is relatively unknown from a PGA standpoint. LACC did host a PGA event 75 years ago when Ben Hogan won. It also hosted the Walker Cup in 2017 with notable names like Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa back when they were amateurs.

The North Course at LA Country Club is a 7,400 yard par 70 with Bentgrass greens. The fairways and rough are Bermuda grass. Very long penal rough is generally a staple at the U.S. Open. The rough at LACC might not be as long as we’re used to but will still be penal due to how easily balls can sink down into the Bermuda grass.

There are many unique holes that will provide an interesting challenge to golfers this week. Similar to Augusta National the course will play firm and fast and has a number of elevation changes. With so many hills and slopes golfers will have to deal with uneven lies with the ball above or below their feet.

The setup at LACC is an interesting one. There are five par threes, three par fives, and ten par fours. Holes 7 and 11 are monstrous par threes measuring over 280 yards. The par three 15th hole is listed as 124 yards but can play as short as 80 yards and has a very slender green. The 6th hole is a risk/reward potentially drivable 330 yard par four. Each hole will require its own strategy and could vary significantly from day to day with different tee and pin placements.

Distance off the tee could be an advantage but isn’t a necessity considering how firm the course will play. Shorter hitters will have the benefit of some roll out on these fast wide fairways. While the fairways are wide, accuracy will still be needed with many slopes and elevation changes. Strategy off the tee will come into play since many holes require a specific spot in the fairway for optimal second shots and to avoid rolling into the rough.

The greens will be firm and fast and greens in regulation could be a tall task. Many of the greens are elevated with run-offs and surrounding bunkers. Many approach shots will be hit with longer irons making it even more difficult to hold these greens.

In addition to the courses’ many penal bunkers, there’s also the barranca. These are dried-out native areas that will add some intriguing shots. Balls that find the barranca could be fine or may force golfers to simply play out and/or lay up.

All in all LA Country Club looks like it will test every facet of the game. The uniqueness of each hole will provide an entertaining dynamic that is certainly worthy of U.S. Open golf.

The field consists of 156 golfers with the Top 60 and ties making the cut after 36 holes to play the weekend.

2023 U.S. Open: The Key Stats

• Approach
• Off the Tee
• Around the Green
• Bogey Avoidance
• Approaches 175-200 yards
• Approaches 200+ yards

Recent U.S. Open Winners

• 2022 (The Country Club): Matthew Fitzpatrick -6 
• 2021 (Torrey Pines): Jon Rahm -6
• 2020 (Winged Foot): Bryson DeChambeau -6
• 2019 (Pebble Beach): Gary Woodland – 13
• 2018 (Shinnecock): Brooks Koepka +1