by Bob Tremmel
I whole heartedly agree. This U.S. Open will not be won by the best golfer this weekend. It will be won by the luckiest. I too now watch the women more than the men. With them you see a lot of great golf and most importently great competition and drama. Kudos to the LPGA and boos for the PGA.

by Veronica M-Levet
What a typical story from the new golf generation bunch. You guys just don't get it that real golfers would rather see someone working to get birdie then "fire at the pin" as you put it. The reason the LPGA Courses are so easy is because none of them can work the golf ball like these guys. Who wants to see a professional golfer be handed a trophy for being 25 under par, its much more interesting to see someone go out and work for a 10 under.

by Doug Wertz
Retief is a schlub who can't win anything else and Geoff Ogilvy is a soon-to-be-forgotten? Thank you for couching these enlightened observations early in your piece so I could save time from reading further.

by Larry Smith
In other words, the USGA has turned the U.S. Open into a crap shoot, if not a joke. Some say the Tour should take it over, but if there is anything we know about this greatest of games it is that it has, somehow, survived management (USGA, PGA, PGA Tour, et al) that, in contrast, makes MLB's Bud Selig appear Solomon-like. Noone is saying it aloud, but I strongly suspect that golf's behind-the-scenes powers are none too keen about the prospect of Tiger Woods shattering the majors-won record of Jack Nicklaus. This was made crystal-clear to me when, in April, they turned Augusta into a U.S. Open-type course. Methinks, if Tiger is to succeed, against all the odds, it will have to come at the Open championships in Britain -- where he can shoot at the records of Harry Vardon and Tom Watson -- and the occasional PGA Championship layout that favors his eye. That is, unless Whistling Straits becomes the fulltime venue for the PGA -- which seems to be happening.

by Kevin Carty
Hey, lighten up. In a few weeks you will be able to watch "The Open" from the land of pound sterling (the present exchange rate is really something to get exercised about!). The Ancient and Honorable (or is it Horrible) never trick up a course so you will get your wish for better or worse. I for one enjoy a little discomfort from elite athletes who finally have to execute more than a driver and wedge.

by Duanne Harvey
The PGA needs to take over the Open or
boycott it and have their own version
of the Open.

by frank
Your comments just reflect the fact that you not a golfer (you may think you are). The tradition of the US Open speaks for itself and some of the greatest golfers (Hogan, Nickalas, Bobbie Jones, Els, almost Palmer, almost Watson) have won at Oakmont which opened in 1903. Eight US Opens, 3 PGA's, etc. etc. - Its not tricked up and whoever does win will deserve it because its a thinking man's course - you must think your way around (not just get up there and hit it and then hit it again). Keep it in the short grass, accurate shots, and keep it out of the bunkers, out of the rough and below the hole and you will deserve to win. Whoever hits a lucky shot will not be rewarded - he who hits a bad shot will be penalized severely and thats the way it should be at the US Open. You should stick to tennis.

by Duanne Harveye
Evidently you're not much of a golfer, if you think that playing a made-for-
failure course is fun. If you ever play
golf, you wouldn't enjoy playing a course set-up to beat you to death.
Stick to your tennis or whatever you play!

by G Schulert
I strongly disagree with the story. The set up is supposed to be as difficult as possible for this event. And par golf (or slightly higher) when the pros have to work hard is what an actual golfer IS interested in watching. Furthermore, as a former Pittsburgher I can confirm that Oakmont is always diabolically difficult. Its only a bit more so this week.

by tripp champion
I agree. The greens won't even absorb water let alone a golf ball. For the sake of watchability, the greens should be more receptive or the rough should be less intense. 8 over might be the winning low score, yawn.