Notebook: If It’s An Open, It’s Tough

Southern Pines, N.C. – The graduated-rough philosophy that the USGA has employed since last year will continue at the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles.

Although it won’t be quite as deep as it was two weeks ago at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club for the U.S. Open, Mike Davis, the Senior Director of Rules and Competitions for the USGA, said at Wednesday’s press conference that the heights will be 1¾ inches for the first cut of primary rough and 3 inches for the second cut. Remember, too, with Bermuda grass, the rough does need to be that high because the ball nestles down much more than in rye grass, which was the prevalent strain for the two previous U.S. Women’s Opens held at Pine Needles in 1996 and 2001.

Because the Women’s Open is being held almost a month later than in ’96 and ’01, over-seeding with rye grass wasn’t necessary.

"Assuming we get some dry conditions, [Bermuda grass] really gives us more bouncing conditions," said Davis. "But at the same time what it does do is it changes some of the conditions."

The biggest effect could be around the closely mown areas around the famous Donald Ross-designed greens. Back in 1999 at Pinehurst for the U.S. Open, the USGA felt it mowed these areas a little too low, allowing for players to universally putt the ball. When the Open came back to Pinehurst in 2005, those areas were mowed a little higher, creating more options for the player. It’s that condition which will be prevalent at Pine Needles. Players could use anything from a putter to a 3-wood to chip the ball back to the green, depending on the lie and situation.

"Just that extra two weeks of Bermuda growing has made them a little grainier," said Davis. "Watching and hitting shots myself you’ll see a few less putts than we hoped. In a perfect world you’d love to see about a third [putts], a third [going with a bump-and-run shot] and a third [pitching the ball]."

The course itself will play 400 yards longer than the two previous Women’s Opens and that’s a result of making the 15th hole a par 5 [from a par 4] and adding length to the second, 10th and 12th holes. So instead of a par 70, the course will play 6,664 yards and to a par of 71. In the case of the 10th, the green was pushed back 60 yards to make it a true three-shot par-5 hole.

"[The 12th] is one [hole], in my opinion, that could be one of the harder holes on the course," said Davis.

All of the additions and renovations by course architect and 1977 U.S. Amateur champion John Fought, have brought the venue back to the way original architect Donald Ross intended for it to play. It has also allowed for the USGA to have more hole locations for the competition.

"When we set the course up, there was never any type of mindset at all beforehand, saying we want to play the course 400 yards longer," said Davis. "Nor was their a mindset to change the par. It was simply going hole-by-hole and saying how is this hole best played given the current state of the game with how the women are playing. I think in those holes [that were lengthened], the feeling was that the hole would play better.

"We set it up and at the end of it we just add up 18 yardages from 18 holes and that’s what the total comes up with."

Her Time?

Lorena Ochoa has had her struggles trying to win her first women’s major championship. At times it has been because she just didn’t play well – i.e. missing the cut in the 2005 Women’s British Open or the T44 at the U.S. Women’s Open at The Orchards in 2004.

But for the most part, Ochoa has consistently contended, posting 12 top-10s since turning pro five years ago.

Ochoa’s best chance at to win a Women’s Open came two years ago outside of Denver. A second-round 68 put her in contention, but a 77 in round three dropped her well back. On Sunday, Ochoa had the best round of the day going until the 72nd hole when she hit two tee shots in the water and made a triple-bogey 7, turning a possible 69 into a 72. A tearful Ochoa knew she had lost a golden opportunity.

"I'm a player or a person that believes that things happen for a reason," said Ochoa, reflecting this week on Cherry Hills Country Club. "If I didn't win that U.S. Open it's probably because I wasn't ready. When you're under pressure and you have too much adrenalin - how quick my swing gets, and my hands. I should probably have taken a little more time and taken a couple of deep breaths. You only learn them with experience. So I always try to think that way, and probably for me because I wasn't ready.

The world’s top-ranked player already owns three LPGA Tour wins in 2007.

"I do want to say that I'm ready right now. I think I can't wait to get my first major and hopefully we can go from there."

Ochoa’s last major championship – the McDonald’s LPGA Championship – may have been her most consistent with rounds of 71-71-69-69 earning her a tie for sixth. Last week, she eagled the 71st hole and beat Korean In-Kyung Kim, the 2005 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion, in a playoff to take the Wegmans LPGA.

With her game clearly in the right place, Ochoa now must capitalize on her experience.

"In majors you see the best players, experienced players," said Ochoa. "I think right now I consider myself a player that has been through a lot of things and I have experience. I'm not going to change anything. I just need to give myself a chance to do it. I think what is important is to be in a good position on Sunday and then we'll go from there."

Odds And Ends

In the last 10 years eight players have won the Women’s Open: Alison Nicholas (1997); Se Ri Pak (1998); Juli Inkster (1999 & 2002); Karrie Webb (2000 & 2001); Hilary Lunke (2003); Meg Mallon (2004); Birdie Kim (2005); and Annika Sorenstam (2006). All those champions all are in the field with the exception of England’s Nicholas, who is semi-retired and living in England.

Five of the remaining seven have significant major résumés except Lunke and Kim. Neither has done much since their win. Lunke has played in 16 events since her playoff triumph at Pumpkin Ridge, making 39 cuts without any top-10s during that period. Her best finish since that 2003 Open was a T17 at the limited-field 2003 Samsung World Championship.

Kim has a similar playing record. The Korean has played in 43 events, making 28 cuts with her best finish coming earlier this year at the Ginn Open, where she recorded her only top 10 (T-6) since winning the Women’s Open at Cherry Hills in 2005.

While those victories were considered major surprises, Lunke’s and Kim’s record speak to the fact that anyone, no matter what the current state of their game, can win this Women’s Open.

David Shefter is a USGA staff writer while Alex Miceli is a writer for the Golf Press Association whose work has previously appeared on uswomensopen.com.