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Hole #1
Description:
As one of the most difficult starting holes in championship golf, the first hole demands an accurate tee shot as deep bunkers line both sides of the fairway. The approach shot plays downhill, and the green slopes away from you, which makes club selection difficult.
The opening hole offered 161 bogeys in the 2016 U.S. Open.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 4.45 Rank: 1
Hole #2
Description:
The second-shortest par four on the golf course can be played two different ways. Most players will keep driver in the bag, finding the bunker and ditch-lined fairway at about 150 yards from the green. Others who choose driver off the tee must carry it about 290 yards uphill to avoid the cross-bunker that sits at 50 yards from the green. This green slopes severely from back to front, so much so that players must control backspin on their approach shots to hold the green.
W.C. Fownes Jr. would drop a ball from the back of the second green, and if it didn’t roll off the front, he would ask the grounds crew why the greens were so slow.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 4.13 Rank: 13
Hole #3
Description:
The famous “Church Pews” guard the left side of the third fairway, and deep bunkers line the entire right side. The uphill, blind approach shot demands excellent distance control as tightly mowed downslopes protect the front and back of the green.
In the fourth round of the 2007 U.S. Open, Tiger Woods carded his only double-bogey of the championship on this hole, finishing tied for second, one stroke behind Angel Cabrera.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 4.32 Rank: 7
Hole #4
Description:
Once again, the “Church Pews” line the left side of the fairway and deep bunkers guard the right side. Although the green is well-guarded by bunkers, players may reach it in two, setting up eagle and birdie opportunities.
In 2007, Angel Cabrera dominated the fourth hole, making three birdies during the championship. Dustin Johnson’s length did not offer a true advantage on this hole in 2016. He made birdie once.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 4.97 Rank: 17
Hole #5
Description:
Most players will use a fairway metal or a long iron for this blind tee shot, as the fairway ends at 300 yards from the tee. A short wedge into this green, which slopes from back to front and right to left, offers a great birdie opportunity.
In the 1916 Intercollegiate Championship, J.W. Hubbell was six down entering the fifth hole. He then won six consecutive holes enroute to his one-up victory in the 36 hole final.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 4.13 Rank: 12
Hole #6
Description:
Oakmont’s first par three offers a mid-iron into a green that slopes severely from right to left with bunkers guarding both sides of the green. The safe approach is a well-struck shot to the back, center of the green, regardless of hole location.
In 2007, Paul Casey found the front left bunker, forcing him to play out backward, carding a triple-bogey.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 3.14 Rank: 11
Hole #7
Description:
A difficult 3-hole-stretch to close out the front nine begins with the par four seventh. An excellent approach shot into a green that is well guarded by bunkers, has multiple levels and slopes from back to front and left to right is key to making par. Finding a bunker off the tee or missing the green left will make for a challenging par.
In a War Bonds exhibition in 1945, Sam Snead found that an open area beyond the bunker on the right side of the fairway offered an excellent angle to the green. W.C. Fownes Jr., club president at the time, was informed of Snead’s strategy and asked the grounds crew to work through the night, installing a bunker on that line. Needless to say, Snead found that bunker off the tee the next day.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 4.33 Rank: 5
Hole #8
Description:
From the back tee box, this plays as one of longest par-threes in championship golf. This hole only saw 24 birdies in the 2016 U.S. Open, however; a big, flat green without trouble in front will receive a run-up shot quite well.
In the 1973 U.S. Open, this was the only blemish on Johnny Miller's scorecard. He three putted for bogey on his way to a course record 63.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 3.30 Rank: 8
Hole #9
Description:
This long, blind and uphill drive demands a very accurate tee shot to avoid deep bunkers on the right side of the fairway and a ditch that lines the left side. The fact that this undulating green shares its surface with the practice green makes it the largest putting surface on the golf course. You want to have momentum going into the back nine and making par here will do just that.
In the final round of the 1962 U.S. Open, Arnold Palmer walked to the ninth tee with a three-shot lead over Jack Nicklaus. Played as a par five, Palmer wanted an eagle, but carded a bogey. Palmer eventually lost to Nicklaus in a playoff.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 4.43 Rank: 2
Hole #10
Description:
Players may not choose driver on this downhill tee shot, but finding the fairway is key to making par. This green slopes severely from the front right to the back left, making it very difficult to get close to any hole location on the right side of the green. A missed approach shot to the right will result in a difficult up and down.
Phil Mickelson four-putted here in 2007 and missed the cut by one.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 4.33 Rank: 4
Hole #11
Description:
Players will use a long iron or fairway metal to find the plateau of the fairway, which will offer a short iron into a green that slopes from back to front. Two well-played shots will result in a birdie opportunity.
In the 1925 U.S. Amateur, Bobby Jones closed out the 36-hole final match on this hole.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 4.07 Rank: 14
Hole #12
Description:
This long par five demands accurate shots from tee to green. Strategic bunkering and ditch placements force players to hit precise, well thought out shots to hit the green in regulation. The putting surface slopes from front to back, making distance control on approach shots difficult to manage.
In the 2016 U.S. Open, when the 12th was listed at the longest hole in U.S. Open history at 684 yards, Dustin Johnson managed to card four pars.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 5.14 Rank: 10
Hole #13
Description:
A shot placed below the hole on this mid-iron par three will offer a birdie opportunity, but putting from above the hole presents a difficult two-putt. Balls that find the green-side bunkers will force players to execute creative shots to save par.
Co-runner-up in the 2016 U.S. Open, Scott Piercy carded 2-2-2-3 and played the 13th as his best of the championship.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 2.99 Rank: 16
Hole #14
Description:
This short par four requires less than driver off the tee. The fairway slopes from right to left and is guarded by deep bunkers on either side. Players who find the fairway will find themselves with a wedge into a big green with very subtle undulations. Expect some good looks at birdie.
In the 2007 U.S. Open, the 14th saw 85 birdies. That number dropped to 72 in 2016.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 3.99 Rank: 15
Hole #15
Description:
The longest par four on the golf course features a blind tee shot to a fairway that slopes from left to right and is protected by bunkers on both sides. Approach shots will be played with mid to long irons into the deepest green complex on the course. A par here deserves a smile walking to the 16th tee.
In the final round of the 2007 U.S. Open, Angel Cabrera hit a 340-yard drive, followed by a 160-yard nine-iron to three feet.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 4.39 Rank: 3
Hole #16
Description:
The par-three 16th hole demands an accurate long iron to a green that slopes from left to right. Larry Nelson made a 65-foot birdie putt in the final round of the 1983 U.S. Open that propelled him to winning the championship.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 3.24 Rank: 9
Hole #17
Description:
The shortest par four on the golf course provides a great risk-reward decision off the tee box. Some of the deepest bunkers on the course, including “Big Mouth,” surround this drivable par four. Those who elect to lay-up off the tee will find themselves with a wedge shot that requires a great strike and excellent distance control.
One hundred twenty-nine birdies were made in the 2016 U.S. Open, more than any other hole. Dustin Johnson made four pars on the 17th during the 2016 U.S. Open.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 3.89 Rank: 18
Hole #18
Description:
Staring directly at the clubhouse lies one of the best finishes in golf. This par-four demands a solid tee shot and an equally well-played approach to hit the green in regulation. Even if that is accomplished, a two-putt par is no guarantee. Dustin Johnson made birdie in the final round of the 2016 U.S. Open to solidify his victory.
2016 U.S. Open: Stroke Average: 4.32 Rank: 6
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