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BROOKLINE, Mass. - After three days of prep and speculation, the U.S. Open is about to begin.
Players have had a chance to take their crash course in learning The Country Club, which is hosting this event for the first time since 1988 and provides an old-school test for the world’s best. Thick rough, narrow fairways and incredibly small greens all await the 156-man field in the morning.
But after a full day of practice on Tuesday, most players eased up for their final rehearsal. Some played a more casual practice round, others opted for nine holes and some focused more on range work. As noted below, one star in particular even pulled the plug a bit early.
Here’s a look at some of the sights and sounds from another day on the grounds, the continuation of our daily series this week from the scene at Brookline:
Illness concerns for a former champ
It’s been seven years since Jordan Spieth left Chambers Bay with the U.S. Open trophy, and he remains one of the most popular bets at any tournament he enters. But his status for this week at Brookline is officially up in the air, as Spieth abruptly left his practice session Wednesday afternoon while telling his playing competitors that he wasn’t feeling well. Word quickly traveled around The Country Club, and late Wednesday Spieth’s agent, Jay Danzi, confirmed to Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis that Spieth was dealing with a “strong stomach bug.”
While he went home to rest and rehydrate, and Danzi expects his client to tee it up in Round 1, it remains to be seen how much physical energy Spieth will have available. Fans (and bettors) will find out pretty quickly, as Spieth tees off at 7:29 a.m. ET alongside Max Homa and Adam Scott. Homa (+160) could have some three-ball value, while fading Spieth in the head-to-head market may prove prescient given he has missed the cut in this event two of the last four years.
Editor’s Note: Tune in to live U.S. Open coverage all week long across NBC, USA Network and Peacock. Click here for more details and a breakdown of daily coverage windows showcasing the action from The Country Club.
USGA getting creative with the shortest hole
USGA executives held their annual press conference Wednesday afternoon, with topics ranging from sustainability initiatives to the status of LIV Golf defectors at future events (CEO Mike Whan left open the possibility that their path into the field might become more difficult). But the focus remained on the course, where there’s a new hole to the U.S. Open routing.
Not since 1913 has The Country Club featured the short 11th hole, a downhill par-3 that measures just 131 yards on the scorecard. The hole wasn’t included in the 1963 and 1988 U.S. Opens at Brookline, but now makes its triumphant return and could prove to be a pivotal obstacle. The hole plays to an exposed green with the green falling off in all directions, and USGA exec John Bodenhamer hinted that organizers may use a forward tee box to make the hole play under 100 yards for one of the tournament rounds. It harkens back memories of Merion in 2013, where the 120-yard 13th hole proved pivotal in dooming Phil Mickelson‘s final-round chances and launching Justin Rose to his maiden major victory.
Lefty still captivating crowds
For the second straight day, fans flocked to Mickelson and surrounded him with the type of adulation he would’ve received six months ago. Thus far there has been no sign that the spectators here may harbor any ill will for his recent comments or decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf as he gets set to chase the one tournament that has eluded his grasp. Mickelson played a Wednesday practice round with longtime friend and fellow Arizona State product Jon Rahm, and it was Lefty once again in his element.
“I was putting on the first tee yesterday, and Phil was getting ready to tee off and he got a monster ovation,” remarked Keegan Bradley, Mickelson’s former Ryder Cup partner. “People cheering. Phil was giving the thumbs up to everyone. I think he is going to be just fine. It sounded like the same Phil Mickelson with the crowd as I’ve always heard.”
The popularity also extends to the betting community, as Mickelson remains the largest pre-tournament liability for PointsBet in the outright market despite sitting as a 200/1 longshot. He is off at 1:47 p.m. Thursday alongside a pair of fellow Open champions: Louis Oosthuizen, who like Mickelson has joined up with LIV, and 2019 winner Shane Lowry.
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