Only once the R&A decided to cancel the Open Championship, freeing up the September window for the USGA to hold the US Open, did it give Winged Foot a chance at remaining the host venue.
Lest you think this is a media-driven story or a narrative that will shadow the championship in perpetuity, know it’s one both sides – players and management – acknowledge.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday (AEST) ahead of his title defence, Woodland was asked what has been the worst lie he’s seen so far at Winged Foot. According to Woodland, it was a lie he couldn’t see.
The unusual combination of red bricks, red wine and well-read books is transforming the 30s version of Rory McIlroy. But it’s the fourth leg of the elusive career Grand Slam he craves most of all.
Rough has long been a useful tool for creating demanding setups and for tournaments that hope to test a certain skill set, but other appeals of the game are sacrificed when the measure of success is relegated to hitting the ball to predetermined positions.
Whether or not you agree with the logic behind filling the 2020 US Open field, it has indisputably produced the most delightfully diverse field of any golf tournament this year.
Rahm isn’t the only big name to visit the venue recently. Two weeks ago Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas teed it up at Winged Foot en route to Boston for the Northern Trust.
Australian Golf Digest
