by Ken Oryniak
Dear Chris Baldwin,
I read your article with interest but I do not share your opinion that the USGA goes too far in setting up an unfair course. I'm not a car race fan but I see this much like a that with golf fans waiting in anticipation of the next wipeout. Sometimes it's not even the course that does the golfer in, e.g. Phil Mickelson last year. As Geoff Ogilvy said after his first round, "If you hit the fairways then there are birdie opportunities". What's wrong with placing a premium on accuracy? Isn't that how Tiger won the British Open last year?

by doug smith
I have to say that Mr Baldwin's comments are less than smart and agree that a premium on accuracy is the only way to deal with the problems brought on by the improvements in golf equipment and golf ball dynamics.
At the British Open last year it was quite boring watching Tiger Woods sending his iron shots down the middle - it seems that he cannot do that at Oakmont which is good - the rough looks a little too difficult but other than that I see no reason to change anything......

by Tom Thoman
I have never been to this web site, and after the review I read I probably will not return.
Having spent the last 4 days at oakmont, it is obvious that the pros are playing a course that can challange their talent. Venues that allow the players to come in under par in double digits are must worse to be around than the great test of Oakmont.
It is great to see the phenoms playing the same shots I have to play, sometimes with the same result. the winner will be the best player this week, not the guy who can stick the ball close to the hole on soft greens. Study the history of the tournament and youwill find that the setup of the Open is a USGA norm, not a gimmic.

by Dave Strom
I don't know who Chris has been talking to but its not the contending Pros. They all say Oakmont is the Best! Johnny Miller says "the new Oakmont is the Best Golf Course in the world. Period!" Tiger said..." "you have to work for every shot. There are no cheap birdies. A great layout. very fair... ". Chris is off on this one.

by Brian
They all say to the media that it is OK (except one injured lefty) The fact is IT stinks. You can hit a good shot but if you are not lucky you can pay for it. I believe Nick Faldo, it has become a game of cautious golfers. They suck the roar out of the crowd with cautious golf and a lot of bad lies. There is no one playing aggresive and making unbelievable shots.

by Wesley M. Jaynes
Chris, you are absolutely right in your article. I spent the day attempting to watch the first day of the Open. I spent a lot of time snoozing. Yet ironically, I sat glued to the television watching Annika, Morgan Pressel, the Pink Panther and yes....Laura Davies. And further, it seems the the newest crop of Koreans have developed some personality on the course. My hats off to the LPGA. Now if we could get the networks to cover more of their tournaments, perhaps we could actually enjoy watching golf again. If I hear one more time about the 5,000 trees removed from the $%%^^& course.......

by Les Kausman
Clever words are no substitute for good judgment. The "soon to be forgotten" Jeff Ogilvy not only won the 2006 US Open, but also the 2006 World Matchplay, and was runner up this year.
Didn't you know that Tiger, Phil, and all your other memorable golfers were in all of these events?

by ernest rider
Hail to the winner, schlug or not! Hope it is some unknown. Tournament Golf is about playing your best under pressure. Not complaining about the course. Same golf course for every participant. All these guys can play. May the BEST man win. Your job? Honor the winner. It will make you appear to be a real person.

by Tominator
I dont agree with the article that Oakmont is too hard or that majors are regressing to cautious golf. IF Tiger is that good it should not matter what course they play. I love watching these guys have to actually think and use a stragey instead of blindly driving everywhere and anywhere. The players that whine should skip the tournament.

by pgamike
That is the truly the reason for the high scores. They haven't shortened the course, they just called the only par 5 that is under 500 yards(and 600, for that matter) a par 4. Never mind that Oakmont already has 5 par 4's over 460, they make the only "hit-able" par 5 a four. It's false advertising at its worst. Take a look at the scores keeping in ming the TRUE PAR for the COURSE.