The third major of the year will make its way to the breezy West Coast when the world’s best tee it up at Torrey Pines’ South Course for the United States Open Championship from June 17-20. The field will once again face one of the toughest tests in golf, as the USGA sets up Torrey Pines to play firm, fast, and with lush, penalizing rough. Let’s take a deep dive into the course, the favourites, and breakdown all you’ll need to know as we embark on golf’s most difficult tournament.
The Course
Torrey Pines is located in the dreamy beach town of La Jolla, California, just outside San Diego. Unlike most major courses, Torrey, as it is affectionately known, is a regular tour stop, hosting the Farmers Insurance Open every January. But the venue will always be synonymous with Tiger Woods’ gutsy performance during the 2008 U.S. Open, when he eclipsed Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole Monday finish. Fast-forward 13 years and we’re back at the hallowed grounds of one of America’s top municipal courses. The field will look much different this time around, with favourites such as Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, and Brooks Koepka all seeing the course for the first time in a major setup. A par-71 stretching out at 7,643 yards from the tips, the South Course is an immense ballpark that demands long, accurate driving and a delicate short game to save precious pars.
Favourites
Bryson DeChambeau bulldozed his way to victory last year at Winged Foot, bombing and gauging his way around the course to comfortably win his first major. Will beefy Bryson defend his title at Torrey? Potentially, but he’ll need to tighten up his accuracy, with multiple out of bounds in play and windy conditions a likely possibility.
Of course, who could discount Jordan Spieth, the man whose career has gone through a meteoric renaissance over the last few months. Statistically speaking, Spieth has been playing the best golf on the planet as of late, and with his major experience, including a U.S. Open to his name, it’s more than conceivable he could claim victory. Lastly, let’s talk about Brooks, who’s been making headlines off the course with his very public social media spat with aforementioned DeChambeau. After coming up short against Phil Mickelson at the PGA Championship, it’s more than likely the four-time major winner, including two U.S. Opens, is more fired up than usual.
Canadian At Torrey
There will be four Canadians playing in this year’s U.S. Open: Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., and Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. Conners and Hughes had already qualified while Pendrith qualified Monday, June 7th by winning an event in Maryland and Hadwin secured one of 16 berths on Tuesday, June 8th at a final qualifier finishing T9 at seven-under. Out of the four representing the Red and White, Conners has been playing the best golf as of late, recording a T-8 at The Masters and a very respectable T-17 at the PGA Championship.
Will the greatest to ever pick up a club from Listowel, Ontario have a major breakthrough this week? Canadians certainly hope so. Conners’ ball-striking is widely regarded as elite, but his putter can sometimes let him down when he needs it most. If he can put his game together for four rounds, it’s quite possible it will be a history-making week.
Quick Hits
Course: Torrey Pines, South Course
Location: La Jolla, California
Date: June 17-20
Field size: 156
Yardage: 7,642
Par: 71
Purse: $12,500,000
Limited Edition Gear
LIMITED EDITION – PARS AND STRIPES DRIVER
The Limited Edition RADSPEED Pars & Stripes Driver boasts a patriotic red, white and blue color scheme and is the perfect driver to commemorate the 121st US Open Major Championship, where Bryson DeChambeau will prepare to defend his championship title.
Summer Commemorative Staff Bag & Headcovers
The TaylorMade Summer Commemorative Tour Staff Bag pays homage to the year’s third major with a west coast inspired vibe. The bag draws inspiration from the host city of San Diego and its unmistakable Southern California sunsets along the sandy coastline. Additional touches include a throwback Taylormade logo on the umbrella pocket enclosed by a Torrey Pine, a rare tree native to the course, and a nod to the self-proclaimed “Craft Beer Capital of the World” on the handle.
Men’s Aerobill Classic99 US Open Cap
The Nike AeroBill Classic99 tops off your look with lightweight, sweat-wicking technology and a camo-like print (Green, Yellow & Grey) that’s inspired by the Torrey pine, a rare species of tree that grows along the southern California coastline. Nike AeroBill technology combines breathability with sweat-wicking comfort. Terry sweatband is soft and absorbent. Adjustable webbing closure lets you personalize your fit. Elastic at the edge of the webbing stretches to help secure your fit. “Golf” and a Swoosh are embroidered on the back right panel.