So much for the legend of the 8th: Immelman aces it in US Open practice round

OAKMONT, Pa. - “It’s how long???”

That was the buzz over the last few months as reports out of Oakmont Country Club detailed the length of the par-3 8th stretching to 288 yards to the center.

At the US Open this week, the hole is drawing large crowds in practice rounds.

But aside from the length, the 8th isn’t horribly sinister, especially compared to way some other holes have been set up this week. Trevor Immelman proved that this morning as he aced it with a 3-wood. The pin was playing towards the back, stretching the length to almost 300 yards.

Not to belittle the ace of course, it’s still an amazing shot. But the hole plays downhill, wind at your back, and there’s plenty of room in front to run a metal up.

Clearly the USGA knew this hole would be a gimme at 255 yards (it’s 1994 yardage) and stretched it back. But a decently hit 3-wood or driver puts you in good shape to two-putt or get a relatively easy up-and-down.

Players I saw today were struggling more on the 231-yard 16th. It isn’t downhill and a bunker guards all but a sliver in front of a shallow green. Players who tried to cut irons and hybrids into the green to try and soften the landing a little often pulled their shots left into heavy rough.

So remember folks, length in fact doesn’t matter. Look for the higher scoring average to come at the 16th this week, not the 8th.

More US Open coverage all week at WorldGolf.com

The 8th is long of course, but compared to the 16th, it’s wide open.