Talking conditions at 2017 U.S. Open Pt. 2

By |  June 15, 2017 0 Comments

We spent a lot of time with the maintenance staff learning about them and what it took to get the course to where it is today, but it was time to ask the professional golfers what they thought of all the hard work. So we lathered on the sunscreen, posted up on the course and waited for the practice groups to come to us. To read Part 1 of Talking conditions click here.

Kevin Kisner takes a practice shot from the second cut on No. 18.

Kevin Kisner takes a practice shot from the second cut on No. 18.

Kevin Kisner:

“I played the back twice and the front once. It’s going to be a good test. It’s going to be long off the tee if it keeps raining, but if it plays firm you can use some valleys to get down there with scoring clubs. The key is going to be getting that ball in the fairway after you hit off the tee box.”

“I don’t think the green side bunkers are that much in play because they’re pretty far away from the green, but the fairway bunkers are pretty penal as far as getting off the tee. You’ve got to try to keep it out of those off the tees.”

“I don’t think much more rain would really change the course that much. It seems to be taking the water really well. The fairways are still somewhat firm, not as firm as they were Sunday. The chipping and surrounds are beautifully manicured.”

Tommy Fleetwood: 

“The greens are great. I’m sure they’ll get them faster, but overall they have been very true. I walked onto the putting green on Sunday and it was pretty much the best surface I had ever seen.”

“I’m sure they (the maintenance crew) has the course up to U.S. Open standards. Maybe they wants the course to be a little bit firmer but weather doesn’t always allow for that all the time. I think the course is in great condition. I think it plays very fair. As long as it is and as big as the course good shots are always going to prevail.”

Stenson

Henrik Stenson gets a read on one of Erin Hills greens.

Henrik Stenson: 

“I’d say the greens complexes in general on the surface, besides a few exceptions, are a whole lot more normal. They aren’t too busy and once you get on the green you’re not going to have super undulated putts. That’s unlike a U.S. Open compared to other I have played at over they years.”

“I tried to hit it out of the high fescue once or twice. It’s a hack out, which is what is too be expected. There’s still some danger out there on the tee shots on 11 and 12, it could get tricky if it gets windy and there are some possible pin positions on 15 and 18 that have to be watched. That’s where the carnage will happen if it does occur.”

Martin Laird:

“I really like the course because it’s really fun to play and the course conditions are immaculate. The greens are as good as you’ll ever see and the rest of it is in good shape too.”

I image the course is currently a little softer than they would like it but it was a definitely a little bit firmer and faster than previous Monday and Tuesday. I don’t know what the forecast for the rest of the week is but I’m sure as long as there isn’t too much rain it’ll just get faster.”

Justin Thomas:

“I got here Saturday and played nine that day and another nine on Sunday. I took Monday off, then another nine on Tuesday and played all 18 today. So the course has obviously changed with the rain, but i knew with all the fescue grass and the undulations it wouldn’t be wet, it would just be softer. The course is just pure.”

“The greens are not that firm right now. I used my driver to get to the green on 15 and it easily held on the front half of the green. You’d think with the typical wind around here the USGA won’t let them get too much softer.”

Jim Furyk catches a ball tossed to him by his son, Tanner.

Jim Furyk catches a ball tossed to him by his son, Tanner.

Jim Furyk:

“Course conditions are phenomenal. The course has been closed supposedly since October, and it’s in really, really good condition. I couldn’t imagine it being any better.”

Photos: BASF

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