The USGA should be roundly applauded for this setup. The choking collars of thick rough around every green that we've grown accustomed to seeing year after year at the US Open has, to a large extent, taken short game skill out of the equation. Thick rough was still very much in existence at Olympic but – crucially – it was there in balance.
Davis and his colleagues are progressively redefining the way their courses are being presented and in doing so, they have reintroduced a cerebral approach to the short game and have all but eliminated a reliance on the mindless gouge as the only greenside shot required for this great event.
As we saw, the course setup went a long way to helping the best short game and course management exponents to prosper. It was no coincidence that it was Jim Furyk, McDowell, Els and, to a lesser extent, Woods and Padraig Harrington – all major champions – who were all vying for the title come Sunday afternoon. This was a US Open where the cream did rise to the top, but it was Simpson, his long game and putter working on all cylinders over the final 36 holes, who ended up as the crystallised cherry. Given the Olympic Club's history of producing fine winners who aren't necessarily household names, this in itself was weirdly reassuring.
"We are already looking forward to next year, when the tradition of golf’s toughest test will continue in the 2013 US Open at Merion Golf Club," Davis concluded.
Amen to that.
