"Makes you wonder how he got a job working there, huh?"

Steve Elling talks to the USGA's Mike Davis about finishing the U.S. Open on a reachable par-5 and the answer might surprise you.

"From a personal standpoint, nothing would please me more than to see giant swings in scoring on this hole," Davis told CBSSports.com. "A player eagling the 72nd hole to win would be a dream come true."

Somebody pinch me.

A day after Ogilvy had admitted he'd won the Open in ugly, cat-burglar fashion he'd not care to see repeated, Davis' surprising sentiments were relayed. A wry smile creased the Aussie's face as he though of Davis, an affable guy in his third year setting up the Open venue. Davis' tenure has been marked by innovation and an approach that players have broadly characterized as more conservative than his Draconian predecessors.

"Makes you wonder how he got a job working there, huh?" Ogilvy cracked.

Following U.S. Open media day, John Strege posts this item about the 7,643 yard golf course.

But Mike Davis, the senior director of rules and competition for the USGA, said that number is deceiving. "I feel very confident saying we will not play that length one day of the championship," he said.

Davis said the USGA will utilize the variety of tee boxes available to them, resulting in a course that will play "somewhere in the neighborhood of 74 [7,400 yards] and change up to 75 [7,500 yards] and change." That's a big neighborhood, notwithstanding the USGA's benevolence in backing it down somewhat.

Comments

[thusgone]

i'm not sure a surprise win due to an eagle on the 72nd hole is the same as a surprise loss due to a triple bogey on the 72nd hole. i suspect that ogilvy would feel different about his win if he had been one shot back and eagled the last hole to win it.

[Joe]

I don't think Augusta played the full 7,445 yards either.

Using multiple teeing areas is a good idea.

[John G]

"I don't think Augusta played the full 7,445 yards either. Using multiple teeing areas is a good idea."

Yes, but Augusta doesn't have nearly enough flexibility in teeing areas - usually just two on each hole: members tee & tournament tee - and they're usually separated by a significant amount of real estate - meaning most members tee locations would play way too short for the pros.

[Seitz]

""I feel very confident saying we will not play that length one day of the championship," he said."

Of course, the other three days are still fair game.

[Joe]

John G - it is true that Augusta has only two teeing grounds, but some of the tournament teeing grounds are rather large, so that if they put the tees up at the front of those grounds, it shortens the hole by 15-20 yards. This is what they did on several holes this year.

I suspect that one of the changes they will make (in response to recent criticism) is to extend the front of the tournament teeing areas, like they did for number 1 this year. The number on the card won't change (7,445) but the actual distance played for the tournament will be much shorter. This will allow them to shorten the course without having to announce an official shortening of any specific holes.

This is exactly what they did with number 1 this past year, they shortened the hole by extending the front of the tee, but officially it stayed the same distance (455). They get to make chnages without having to admit they made a mistake in the first place when they lengthened it.

[Traveler]

Is it just me or does Geoff Ogilvy seem to get a disproportionate share of ink and interview time? Is he just more interesting to talk to? Does he seek out reporters or just more accomodating to them? Does he just get 'blogged' here more?

[Hawkeye]

Every interview with Geoff Ogilvy seems to feature more interesting quotes than ten interviews each with Woods, Singh, Scott, and Goosen combined. In short, he's by far the most quotable top player in the game. If Paul Goydos were a top player, however...