It's the most democratic major, because everyone can hope to play it, but it's also the cruellest, because it always takes place on indomitable paths. It is the Us Open, number 115, the second round of the grand slam, which kicks off today in Chambers Bay, University Place, in the state of Washington, in the North-West of the United States, on the border with Canada.
The track is a par 70 of 6500 metres, designed by Robert Trent Jones junior, created in a former rock quarry, a pure links, with no trees and no water obstacles, but with a thousand gradients to understand, the wind blowing from all parts and greens that are indistinguishable from the fairways, to the point that the organization has marked the boundaries with white dots.
On top of that there are holes that one day are a par 5 and another day a par 4, much to the chagrin of players who don't like this kind of antics. But this is the Us Open, a challenge that aims to reward only the best, the one who, like in a video game, overcomes all obstacles and has the humility to deliver a score with just a few points under par.
There are 156 competing at the starting tees, among them Francesco Molinari, who enters by right thanks to his position in the world ranking (he's 43rd) and who arrives at Chambers Bay in great shape. On the Pga Tour website Francesco is mentioned in a "top twenty" of candidates for the title, with jacket number 12. His results speak for him: leader on the tour in terms of hit fairways and fifth for greens hit with regulation shots .
It seems that Francesco just needs to break in his psychological strength when he is at the top of the standings, to overcome, one might say, a certain fear of winning. A major is a great opportunity, even if the rivals are many and purebred. The first, the favourite, is the world number one, the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who has a sort of internal switch that comes on in the toughest competitions. His alter ego with stars and stripes and another favorite is Jordan Spieth, number two in the world, 2015 Masters champion.
Among them a lot of candidates: from Martin Kaymer who defends the title, to Rickie Fowler, winner of The Palyers, to Phil Mickelson who boasts six second places in this major, more than anyone else. Whoever has the most titles is the champion Tiger Woods, three times US Champion, the last one in 2008, but it's hard to hope that the tiger will roar again this time.
However Tiger did his duty to get ready for the appointment: two weeks ago he tested the field to prepare his strategy and in recent days he has refined his work, with the hope of being able to compete at the highest levels, as in the course of his spectacular career. It would be important for the former number one to at least pass the cut; the bar will be set on Friday on the result of the first 60 and tied.
It is a challenge, an aspiration for everyone. For the 76 eligible candidates, for the 13 former champions admitted and for the 47 qualified, who passed very tough selections, prevailing over ten thousand challengers. The candidates for the race were in fact 9882, coming from all over the world, divided into 111 places for the initial qualifications and another 12 for the subsequent ones. In short, a great participation for a great dream, which will end on Sunday or Monday (on another 18 holes) in case of players tied.
The stakes are very high: 9 million dollars, 1,080 million for the first. And the "collateral" benefits are just as important: 600 Fedex points; ten-year exemption for the US Open; 5-year exemption for the Masters, the Open Championship and the PGA (the other three majors); 5-year exemption for the PGA Tour.
Very long live coverage on Sky Sport from night to morning starting at 22pm tonight
