US Open: Best Links shot witnessed IRL.

[RonnieSmith]

On Saturday I decided to watch some early groups play hole 4. The hole was playing as a 527 yard par 4. It has an elevated tee, but you don't get much roll off the tee as the landing area begins to slope upwards to the hole. I verified the distance with the USGA shot cast, but Ben Kohles had 250 yards to the front left pin position. While of course in Links, the "firmness" of each green is the same, I suspect the USGA will slightly soften the greens on holes where long clubs will be hit into the green on par 4's. This would be the prime example. Kohles carried his shot probably a little less than 245 and it hit just over the false front and just right of the gaping left hand bunker. It nearly rolled in the hole, but then ended up rolling about 20 feet past the hole.

Alas, he did not make the birdie putt, but it was quite the shot. We would all be hard pressed to replicate it with our 3W or 4W in Links.

Ronnie