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Before the start of the US Open this week, the Chambers Bay golf course was declared by many as one of the most challenging in the US Open history.
The nature of play in the opening two rounds has left even the most experienced of players confused.
Sloping tees, extreme elevation changes, holes that play Par 4 on one day and Par 5 the next, the longest par 4s in US Open history and all other customary hazards have meant that only 41 players found themselves at even or below par after the first round.
After the second round on Friday that figure was nearly halved with only 19 players. If this pattern continues come Sunday afternoon only a handful of players will be in ‘red digits’ and challenging for the US Open championship.
The flag positioning and the conditions are tipped to get tougher meaning a par on any hole will be deemed as a good score. Birdies and Eagles will be as rare as the solitary tree that exist at the Chambers Bay Golf course.
Judging by the history of the US Open, it should be a tight contest right till the end.
The favourite: Jordan Spieth
Of the current leaders, US Masters champion and world number two Jordan Spieth is the favourite to win his second major of the year.
Spieth is the only man in the top 12 players of the current leaderboard that has won a major. The 21-year-old won the US Masters in April earlier on this year and led all the way from the start to the end. Playing from the front is no issue for the youngster and his recent form has been imposing.
OTHER CONTENDERS
20 out of the 25 US Open winners were in the top five on the leaderboard after 36 holes. If history is to repeat itself then either Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, Braden Grace or Spieth are a strong chance to hold the trophy on Sunday.
However, there are other top ten ranked golfers that are on the fringe of the top five. Out of which Australian Jason Day and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson should pose the greatest threat.
Rory McIllroy and Jim Furyk, ranked first and third respectively are nine shots from the lead, and given the nature of the course it will be extremely difficult to catch the leaders.
AUSTRALIANS
One must admit the Australian contentions have been promising.
Leader of the pack Jason Day (-4) is the brightest hope. Emerging 21 year old, Cameron Smith (E) is only five shots of the pace. Behind them are the experienced pair of Adam Scott (+1) and Geoff Ogilvy, both of who should be right amongst the leaders come the fourth evening.
PREDICTION
On form Jordan Spieth will be tough to beat, but keep an eye out for Dustin Johnson, Jason Day and Henrik Stenson. One thing is for sure, even a three shot lead at the 18th hole will not guarantee a win at this treacherous course. It could very well be the person that shoots the most amount of pars on the final nine holes that will be declared a winner on Sunday evening.
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