"We know that basically two years of growth from fairway height we got it to where we wanted."

Many have wondered if the USGA will grow rough at Chambers Bay for the 2015 U.S. Open, or simply leave the wide fescue landing areas as is. AP's Tim Booth gives us the answer.

Testing how thick the rough could get was the first experiment and likely the most important. When Robert Trent Jones Jr. and his team designed the golf course, they did so with hosting a U.S. Open-type event in mind, but not intending on the course having any rough in a true links style. The rough that was added before last year's Amateur was short and not very punishing.

Because fescue grows at a slower rate than the other grasses used on most American golf courses, Allen's staff was told to stop cutting the rough last fall so USGA officials could get an idea of where the rough might be in June — around the time of year when the Open will be played.

The result was nearly six inches of tangled mess that was punishing every day hackers so much course officials finally had to ask if they could cut the rough back because pace of play was grinding to a halt as golfers searched for wayward shots on the already difficult course.

"We know that basically two years of growth from fairway height we got it to where we wanted," Allen said.