A-Z of the US Open: J-Z
The 2010 US Open heads to the lengthened Pebble Beach very shortly, and Golf Monthly steers you through an A-Z of the coveted championship so that you become an expert come the first day's play on June 17
J is for JACK NICKLAUS. Nicklaus won his third US Open title at Pebble Beach in 1972. This made Nicklaus the first player to win the US Amateur and US Open on the same course, and this is yet to be replicated.
K is for KIRKWOOD. Joe and Joe Jr. Kirkwood are the only father and son combination who have both played in the US Open and both made the cut.
L is for LINKS. A links course, like Pebble Beach, is built along the seaside. The soil is sandy and drains easily, the fairways play firm and fast as they are not often watered, and the course is laid out naturally leaving any bumps and slopes to integrate as part of the course. The bunkers are also small and deep to stop the typical winds blowing the sand away.
M is for METEOROLOGIST. Pebble Beach is preparing for notorious winds on the links course, hiring a meteorologist to give accurate forecasts so pin positions can be determined.
N is for NAVIGATION. On many of the holes at Pebble Beach, length is not the only aspect of the game. Players need to navigate their ball to clear spots on the fairway in order to get a good angle and shot into the green.
O is for OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB which has hosted the US Open on more occasions than any other venue, the eighth time being in 2007.
P is for PUBLIC. Pebble Beach is a public golf course, and has the highest green fees of any golf course in the world. Resort Guests pay $495 including a cart, and non-resort guests pay $495 plus a cart fee of $35
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Q is for QUIMET. Frances Quimet was the last winner to win the US Open on his first try. The amateur won the event in 1913.
R is for RORY MCILROY. Rory will be playing in his second US Open this year, and he gained exemption for tying 10th at Bethpage Black in 2009.
S is for SEVENTH HOLE. The 7th hole is the shortest par 3 in US Open history. This year it will measure 109 yards compared to previous Opens where it has measured 106, 107 or 120 yards.
T is for TICKETS. Spectator tickets were sold for the first time in 1922 and an up-rise in entries caused the USGA to introduce sectional qualifying in 1924. The US Open has sold out for 23 consecutive years.
U is for UNDER-PAR. The player who scored the most strokes under par after 72 holes in any US Open is Tiger Woods. At Pebble Beach in 2000, Woods shot 12-under-par.
V is for VISITORS. Pebble Beach aim to be as environmentally friendly as possible, and ask visitors to dispose of rubbish in the properly marked collection areas: plastic bottles in blue bags, and cups napkins and wrappers in green bags.
W is for WORLD WARS. Since it started in 1956 there has been a US Open every year, excluding 1917, 1918, 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945 when World War One and Two were fought.
X is for X-FORGED. Ernie Els will be using Callaway equipment in the 2010 US Open, using the X-forged wedges. They consist of a thin top line and narrow sole, and are heavier than previous Callaway additions to help produce a more penetrating flight.
Y is for YUTA IKEDA. The Japanese golfer has competed in one soletary Major championship to date, the 2009 British Open Championship, and has won one event as a professional. Ikeda has gained full exemption for this year's US Open.
Z is for ZARLEY. Kermit Zarley is the US Open record books for holding the highest score leading the field at Pebble Beach after 18 holes. He shot 72 in the first round of the 1972 championship.
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