Players began the first official practice rounds on Monday for this week's 111th US Open, some of them getting their first look at the event's trademark dense rough and lightning-fast greens.
Players practice putting on the putting green during a practice round prior to the start of the 111th US Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. Players began the first official practice rounds on Monday for this week's 111th US Open, some of them getting their first look at the event's trademark dense rough and lightning-fast greens. Each player mixes practice needs with energy conservation in what figures to be a grueling week and a test of nerve and patience as well as skills.
"By Thursday I don't want to be overworked," American Hunter Mahan said. "I want to be very fresh mentally, physically and ready to go to battle, because the US Open is a battle and it is probably the longest four days of the year."
Much of the focus in Thursday's opening round at Congressional Country Club will be upon the trio of World No. 1 Luke Donald of England and the prior two No. 1s, England's Lee Westwood and Germany's Martin Kaymer. The European stars tee off at 8:06 in the morning.
Donald sounded relaxed, joking late Sunday on his Twitter microblogging site that he was "Thinking of rocking up to the 1st tee on Thursday wearing a big ass pair of headphones, NBA style. What u think? Ha."
It probably would not help his chances of following England's Tony Jacklin in 1970 and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell last year as the only Europeans to win the US Open since 1925.
Donald and Westwood seek their first major titles while Kaymer made his major breakthrough by taking last year's PGA Championship.
Another first-time major winner could be in the cards at Congressional as well. Seven of the past eight majors have been won by players who had not previously captured a major crown, the most recent being South African Charl Schwartzel at the Masters last April.
"At all tournaments, but more so the US Open, you can't jump out of the blocks quickly," Schwartzel said. "You need to take it as it comes, be patient. I like when it plays tough."
Mahan, 20th in the rankings, likes his chance for a first major title entering the US Open fight.
"I'm right on track for the US Open," he said. "I've been pretty consistent this year, which is nice. The game's not far away from just bursting and just making a ton of birdies and getting some momentum of shooting low scores."
England's Justin Rose recalls how deftly South Africa's Ernie Els handled the 17th hole to edge Colin Montgomerie and win the 1997 US Open.
Rose, also seeking his first major crown, still sees that hole, now the 18th in a revamped layout, as a likely title decider.
"The 18th hole is going to be obviously a huge test," Rose said. "They have tried to get some teeth into that hole and create a dramatic finish.
"You're definitely going to get that opportunity to hit that Ernie Els draw 5-iron into that back left-hand pin placement."
With World No. 15 Tiger Woods missing the US Open for the first time since 1994 because of left knee and Achilles tendon injuries, the 14-time major winner's chase of the record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus is idled until at least next month's British Open.
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