US Open golf blog: The return to Bethpage Black

The US Open returns to Bethpage Black where the golf world can only hope for the excitement that occurred at Torrey Pines 12 months ago.

Tiger Woods’ incredible US Open victory at Torrey Pines last year will go down in history for many reasons. Watching Woods limp around the golf course and produce one incredible golf shot after another was about as exciting as it gets.

The USGA judged things perfectly last year. Being able to witness Tiger’s incredible display first hand was one of the best sporting spectacles I have ever witnessed and is probably the main reason I am quick to defend Tiger in any situation.

Torrey Pines never played its full yardage that week and when combined with accessible pins this encouraged attacking golf throughout. This year’s thrilling Masters final day also had a great deal to do with the set up of the course and no doubt the USGA will have learnt from both events.

Bethpage Black should prove to be the perfect setting for another drama filled Major. The rowdy New York crowds will be in full voice at a venue where Tiger dominated in 2002. Bethpage Black received rave reviews from players when it became the first public owned and operated course to host the US Open. The huge, but relatively flat greens promise to provide plenty of birdie opportunities while the cavernous bunkers and deep rough will punish wayward drives.

With plenty of big hitting European’s in great form going into the event we have as good a chance as ever of seeing the first European to win the US Open since Tony Jacklin’s victory at Hazeltine in 1970. Everything is perfectly set to provide a fantastic US Open and you can follow all of the excitement here at golf-monthly.co.uk.