Dave Pelz: “Studying the game”

As the final hole in this US Open, the 18th is living up to it’s reputation as a pivitol and entertaining finishing hole.

If you could be where I am sitting, this is what you would see - does it make you nervous? 

Of course, the left side of this hole makes me nervous - and they have shaved the left bank of the fairway, and as you approach towards the green you find a very long bunker:

Shaved left fairway edge.

This left bunker is longer than most people think - and while it might save you from the ocean and a penalty stroke, there could be some difficult lies in here.

Next look at the extremely important lay up area - which just might determine this year’s winner: the center of the fairway 50 yards from the green, you have great visibility of all pin positions:

But as you move right and get into the edge of the rough, the large tree starts to obstruct your view:

And if you really bailout right and end up in the right rough, you can have serious tree problems.

Hopefully this hole will determine our winner this year. If it does, it will sure be fun to watch. And just a comment here: I’m betting that the contestant who runs his second shot into the short right bunker, and then gets it up-and-down for a birdie 4, will be our champion.

Happy Father’s Day!!