Golf

Mickelson not the only hot shot to watch at Pinehurst

PINEHURST, N.C. — Contrary to popular belief, Phil Mickelson is not the only player in field at the US Open this week.

Mickelson is not the only player chasing something significant on the venerable Pinehurst No. 2 Course in the sand hills of North Carolina, where the US Open is being played for the third time.

He is not the only compelling story line in the continuing absence of Tiger Woods, who’ll miss his second consecutive major championship while recuperating from March back surgery.

So, while Tiger rests and Phil takes aim at the rare and coveted career Grand Slam (which has been accomplished by only five players), here are a few other stories to watch:

Defending champion Justin Rose

Rose won at Merion last June, is trying to become the first player in 25 years to repeat as US Open champion. Curtis Strange was the last player to win back-to-back US Opens, in 1988-89.

Justin Rose celebrates after winning the 2013 US Open in Ardmore, Pa.AP

Rose enters the week having missed the cut at the Memorial, something he said he hopes “could be a blessing in disguise [because] it allowed me to spend a couple of extra days at Pinehurst and get a look at things, similar to what I did at Merion last year.’’

“Nothing pointed to me winning the US Open at this time last year,’’ Rose said. “My game just now is remarkably similar to then. I remember trudging around Merion the week before the tournament, trying to find my swing, not playing well and things began to click. I am fiddling around with a few swing thoughts and feelings just now as well.”

At his pre-tournament visit to Pinehurst, Rose used the help of caddie Willie McRae, an 81-year-old Pinehurst legend. McRae has been toting bags at Pinehurst since he was 10.
“It is important to go round the course with a local,’’ Rose said. “I did that at Merion. You never know what you will pick up. It influenced the way I saw the holes last year.’’

Rose will begin his defense 7:51 a.m. Thursday on the 10th hole, paired with US Amateur winner Matthew Fitzpatrick and Mickelson, whom he not only beat at last year’s US Open (Mickelson’s record sixth runner-up finish in the event) but in a crucial singles match at the 2012 Ryder Cup.

Bubba Watson

Watson will be attempting to win the second leg of the 2014 Grand Slam following his second career Masters victory in April and a pretty good run of golf since. Unlike the way he neglected his game after his first Masters win, in 2012, to be with his family and newly adopted son, Watson has remained competitive in his two events since, finishing third at the Memorial last month.

Pinehurst is a course where length is an advantage and it sets up well for Watson because he has as much length off the tee as anyone in the field. And its fairways average about 30 yards wide without rough, which is also something that will favor Watson, who has a tendency to spray off the tree, but also the creativity to make great recovery shots (see the 10th hole in the playoff at his first Masters win).

Break through from an established player

It might be time for an established a player who should already have a major championship to break through. That could be Matt Kuchar, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson or Luke Donald. Take your pick.

Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth plays a fairway shot on the third hole during the final round of the Memorial Tournament on June 1.Getty Images

That sound you hear is 20-year-old Jordan Spieth barreling toward his first major championship win. He’s played 17 events this year with 13 top-25 finishes, six top-10s and two runners-up, including the Masters.

The new No. 2, which is back to the old No. 2

This will be the third US Open played at No. 2 in 15 years, but the course will look and play a lot differently after the major renovation/restoration by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, who returned it to the way it looked when Donald Ross first put his talented hand to it.

They removed acres of deep Bermuda rough and replaced it with sandy natural areas sprinkled with wire grass, pine cones and natural vegetation. The crowned greens and the surrounding areas remain as demanding as ever, accentuating short-game creativity.

 The weather

As it so often is at US Opens, is likely going to be a factor this week. It’s hot and steamy and thunderstorms are a possibility every day this week. The USGA wants the track to be hard and fast, but a lot of rain will sabotage that plan.