An open in every sense of the word

GOLF:THE VIBES from just about everyone here in the leafy suburbs of Bethesda, whether on the range or the course itself, is of a very, well, open 111th US Open. The reason is only partly due to the absence of Tiger Woods. The more salient issue is the Majors in recent years have become more accessible. The fear factor that once existed for the majority of the field has disappeared.

Although this is true across the board – a look at the holders of the other Majors makes the case: Charl Schwartzel wears Augusta National’s green jacket; Louis Oosthuizen clutches the Claret Jug and Martin Kaymer the Wanamaker Trophy – there is more evidence of this shift in the US Open, historically regarded as the toughest examination of the four.

If you go back to Michael Campbell’s breakthrough win in 2005, when he was ranked 80th in the world, the floodgates have, by and large, opened. With the exception of then world number one Tiger Woods’ win at Torrey Pines in 2008, when he needed a play-off to fend off Rocco Mediate, the years since Campbell’s win have been followed by victories for Geoff Ogilvy (2006), Angel Cabrera (2007), Lucas Glover (2009) and Graeme McDowell (2010).

Interestingly, of that quintet only Ogilvy featured inside the world’s top-20 at the time of the feat. The Aussie was ranked 17th prior to his win at Winged Foot. The others? Campbell was 80th, Cabrera 41st, Glover 71st and McDowell 37th when he won at Pebble Beach a year ago.

What does this tell us? Perhaps that the world number one ranking should sit uneasily on the shoulders of Luke Donald, that his new status – or his remarkable consistency this season – won’t improve his chances of lifting a first Major. Perhaps it tells us that this US Open reminds us of the days when it was easier to stick a pin in the Grand National field in an attempt to discern a potential winner.

Perhaps. The collapses of 54-hole leaders in Majors – Dustin Johnson in last year’s US Open, Nick Watney at the US PGA and, most recently, Rory McIlroy in the US Masters – would indicate that attempting to get the job done brings a pressure of its own.

One of the more intriguing questions heading into this US Open is whether McIlroy’s meltdown at Augusta in April will serve as a character builder.

McIlroy, for one, sees it that way. “The Masters was one of those things, it happens. I’ve just got to make sure it doesn’t happen again. The occasion got the better of me, but I’ve learned from it and moved it. If I get myself in a similar position again, hopefully it will stand to me.”

Certainly, McIlroy’s ball-striking off the tee and his high ball flight would appear tailor-made for this par 71 course that stretches out to 7,574 yards.

“I feel good. I am confident . . . I know the golf course really well. It is just about going out and doing it on Thursday to Sunday. All of the pieces seem to be falling together nicely.”

McIlroy – on form – would appear the strongest challenger from the Irish quartet that includes McDowell, Pádraig Harrington and Shane Lowry.

And yet there is an exuberance about McDowell that would indicate he is ready to start the next chapter of his career. It’s almost as if handing back the trophy has released him.

McDowell believes this week’s examination is open to all. “It wouldn’t surprise me if anyone did it. I’m not ruling out any type of player. The short hitter. The long hitter . . . You’ve got to control it off the tee to give yourself a chance to come into these greens, because they’re rock-hard and they’re getting firmer and faster.”

Harrington, a three-time Major champion desperately searching for the missing link in his game, also believes “the challenge is all on the greens, it’s about where you hit your iron shots . . . it is definitely all about getting into position and not short-siding yourself.”

The guy who keeps the ball in play off the tee and controls his approach shots into greens running at 14½ on the Stimpmeter will have the best prospects.

Will that be five-time runner-up Phil Mickelson? Or world number one Luke Donald? Or McIlroy, the golfer with a conscience whose trip to Haiti brought about some new perspective?

Whoever it is will have to do one thing better than anyone else. As Harrington put it in pin-pointing what it will take to win, “the same thing as at every US Open . . . he’ll have putted well”.