Typically, most golf tournaments will roll with two-tee starts with a large field of golfers. It help speeds things up a bit and makes sure something is going on for virtually every hole. The PGA Tour and LPGA tour have been using this method for quite a while, but the USGA will utilize this method for the U.S. Open.
U.S. Open Golf 2012: USGA Will Utilize Split-Tee Start
This year at The Olympic Club, however, the USGA will break further from tradition with golfers going off the first and ninth tees. Because the ninth tee is right below the clubhouse, it was only logical to have players start either one of the first two rounds there instead of shuttling them to No. 10. The USGA employed this strategy at both the 2004 U.S. Junior Amateur and 2007 U.S. Amateur championships conducted at Olympic.
“I don’t think it’s going to make a real difference,” USGA Executive Director Mike Davis said at the April 30 media day. “The reality is everybody has to start on the [second] nine one time. And everybody has to start on the [first] nine before the cut is made. I think it will balance out.”
For all your news and updates in the run up to the 2012 U.S. Open at Olympic, visit SB Nation’s dedicated golf hub. Be sure to head over to USOpen.com for even more coverage from the event.
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