Length of Torrey Pines only a small factor

Although this week’s U.S. Open will unfold over the longest layout for a major championship, most of the players agree that course yardage will not be a significant factor over the next four days.

British Open champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland feels that precision rather than power will be a prized commodity given the graduated rough at Torrey Pines and tips the short, straight hitters to shine.

“The length isn’t as big an issue as it could be,” the 36-year-old Dubliner told reporters during preparation for Thursday’s opening round.

“The shorter, straighter hitters are going to hit more fairways and, if they do miss, they only tend to miss in the first cut.

“You can get a ball running out of those (first cuts) and nearly every green out there is accessible at the front. It might be a small target, but it can be done.”

Tournament organisers have set up the 7,643-yard South Course with the grass an inch-and-a-half tall in the first cut of rough and at two-and-a-half inches in the second cut. From there to the spectator ropes, the rough will be four inches high.

“I would actually fancy the chances of some of the very short, straight hitters this week,” added Harrington, who won his first major title in last year’s British Open at Carnoustie.

“I can’t see anybody who feels that they have less chance than anybody else on this golf course. It looks like it’s wide open with plenty of opportunities for everybody to play well.”

Tournament favourite and twice champion Tiger Woods likes the flexibility organisers have at their disposal to vary the total yardage on the par-71 layout.

“I think that’s going to be the exciting thing,” the American world number one said.

“If the golf course is playing too hard, if the wind kicks up, if the greens are getting out of control, they have the ability now to move tees up, play holes differently, give guys a chance to make birdie.

“The setup could be so varied, where certain holes that you wouldn’t think are holes you can pick up shots on and you can. You have some birdie holes out there and you do really feel like you should make birdie on those holes.”

The course, which spectacularly hugs cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, has two of the longest par-four holes in the U.S. Open. The 515-yard sixth is the longest and the 504-yard 13th is the third longest.

Although the layout is 379 yards longer than any previous U.S. Open venue, the length can be cut back to 7,541 by using the shortest yardages on the par-three third, 11th and 16th holes.

“Its definitely got its long holes and places where I’m going to be hitting a lot of club into the green, but I think it’s playable because of the firm and fast conditions,” 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk said.

“From what I hear it’s going to be possibly even a little warmer and sunnier this week and I’m hoping for this place to dry up even more. The roll is our friend right now, if you’re a medium-length hitter.”