Tiger: "I forgot how small the green complexes are" At Pebble Beach

Besides relishing the return to a course where precision iron play is rewarded, it was interesting to see Tiger’s reaction to the state of Pebble Beach after a recent practice round.

From Will Gray’s report at the Memorial:

“I forgot how small the green complexes are. Add a little bit of firmness and speed to them and they get really tiny,” Woods said. “But seeing some of the new greens that they had re-done, taking a look at some of the new pins was nice to see. So come next week when I start concentrating and focusing on Pebble Beach, it will be nice to have those images.”

Part of Tiger’s forgetfulness has to do less with eroding brain cells and more with encroaching bunkers and the continued shrinking of Pebble’s greens since the last Open.

Your Rebuttal England? Japan's U.S. Open Sectional Sets New High Water Mark For WD's

Off the top of my head the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier in England has gone well into the twenties for WD’s many times over the years, with 23 the most I can find. Some were non-starters and some gave up the, uh, dream, midway through efforts to make it to the U.S. Open.

But I can’t recall more than half a field WD’ing, with five having posted sub-70 opening rounds. Ultimately, 18 of 33 WD’s at the Kuwana Country Club qualifier gives the Europeans a new high water mark to shoot for Monday at Walton Heath.

Because, after all, if there is a course you just can’t get off of fast enough, it’s the brilliant and beautiful Walton Heath.

Given the long journey to Pebble, the 40% chance of rain (but comfortable temps), the “teams” telling their player to protect energy levels and the incredible consistency of WD’s at the England qualifier, I like the chances for a new record (of futility) Monday.

Pebble Beach's Fairway Contours May Be About The Only Thing To Glean For June's U.S. Open

With this week’s rains Pebble Beach can’t get much softer, so watching Sunday’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am finale won’t yield much insight into what we’ll see for June’s U.S. Open.

One major correction, according to Golf World’s Dave Shedloski after discussing the setup with USGA officials on site this week, is the 11th fairway’s shrinkage at least allowing those who hit the fairway to have the best angle of approach.

One exception is the fairway at No. 11, an uphill par 4 of 390 yards leading to a shallow green that slopes severely from back to front. Hall says the fairway has been shifted to the left, leaving an easier approach, especially for players who take on the hole with driver. “The fairway direction before left a difficult second shot. You weren’t really rewarded for being in the fairway,” Hall said.

In 2010 the USGA attempted to bring trouble down the right into play but it left players in the left rough with a better angle of approach with their approaches. Given today’s bomb-and-gouge approach and the possibility of driving the ball closer to the green, it all may not matter.

New tees at 9 and 13 will also likely be used after getting an initiation at the 2018 U.S. Amateur.

Whoa: Nantz Says Mickelson Stars Align For Career Grand Slam Completion At Pebble Beach

Spielbergian vision here from Jim Nantz on the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and Phil Mickelson’s effort to complete the career Grand Slam:

"What an American dream. You could have a grandson later walk those same fairways," Nantz said. "Instead of what his grandfather was making, 25 cents a bag, now he’s going to close out the career Grand Slam on the sacred sod of Pebble Beach, what a story that would be.

The full clip from Morning Drive at the PGA Show where Nantz was unveiling his collaboration with Vineyard Vines benefitting the Nantz National Alzheimer Center: