US Open 2017: 10 things you need to know
By John Buhler
8. Gary Player is watching how the course plays intently
Normally, the US Open is held at venues the USGA knows can do an excellent job hosting it. Of course, the USGA likes to reward course designers with allowing new venues like Erin Hills in Wisconsin to come into the US Open rotation.
That being said, let’s just hope for Gary Player’s sake that Erin Hills plays better than Chambers Bay did in Washington State two years ago. The course was a disaster, as the Pacific Northwest climate made the rough into a thick, soupy mess that was almost unplayable. It didn’t help that the greens didn’t hold up to the climate either, as they looked out of this world with all the grass Chambers Bay had to important during the 2015 US Open.
Player, 81, took to social media and wrote a letter with his own seal on it to completely rip the botch-job that was on display in the 115th US Open Championship two years ago. While he is hoping the links-style course of Erin Hills plays better, be ready for Player to rip the USGA for putting the event at a course that isn’t in the US Open rotation.
While the Pacific Northwest climate would factor in rural Wisconsin, the big concern has to be the tall grass in the rough at Erin Hills. It too could be nearly unplayable if rain becomes a factor in this tournament. Hopefully the golfing world learned its lesson. Otherwise, let’s see what Player has to be say about Erin Hills.