U.S. Open: Why Los Angeles Country Club's 'short' holes are talk of Hollywood

For a venue that is set for its Major Championship debut, Los Angeles Country Club's par threes might provide one of the most curious challenges the world's best could possibly expect at the 123rd U.S. Open.

With five 'short' holes on the North Course, which depending on the pin placement could range from nearly 300 yards to as little as 78 yards, intrigue is unlikely to be in short supply as the U.S. Open makes its return to the City of Angels after a 75-year absence.

While much is being made of the 290-yard par three 11th and 284-yard seventh, there is in equal measure much attention around the 15th which on the scorecard reads as 124 yards but could play as the shortest hole in U.S. Open history at 78 yards.

That for many poses the question: Is it tougher to hit a lob wedge to a par three flagstick or anything from a wood to a long iron into a monster par three?

Reflecting on the challenge of playing par threes that will measure almost 200 yards different in distance, defending U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick said: “I would argue that at 78 yards, stood there with a lob wedge in your hand, you're going to be a little bit more intimidated than stood there with a three wood in your hand.

“I would probably say that's pretty truthful amongst everyone in the field. I imagine that the target is going to be very small and you're going to have to hit a good shot.

“I think we need more short par threes that are challenging, so I'm excited to see what that looks like.”

Collin Morikawa is one of only a few players in the field to have competitive experience at Los Angeles Country Club, having represented the winning United States of America team at the 2017 Walker Cup against Great Britain & Ireland.

Back then, the 15th played to 78 yards and the two-time Major winner knows just how much of a challenge it can pose.

"I remember like you almost had to practice teeing up with a 60-degree lob wedge like an inch off the ground, which you never do, and just trying to try and hit it perfect, because you had to with height, with spin," he said.

• U.S. Open Five things to know presented by OCEANTEE
• U.S. Open Fantasy DP World Tour Ones to Watch

"It's only going to be that much more important this week if they do move it up. I'm sure they will. So, yeah, you have like a yard and a half to land it if you want to hit a good shot. If not, you've got to play left and hopefully hit a good putt. 

"It's frustrating because you can hit an OK shot and not get rewarded at all. Especially out here you can't land it in the rough. It's not going to bounce out. You've got to land it in the right spot.

"I just remember it was a very tough shot, I pulled it off, and I think I still had like 20 feet for birdie."

At the other extreme, the 11th and seventh on the 7,423-yard par 70 course are set to go down as the second and third longest par threes in U.S. Open history.

By comparison, the longest par three in this year’s US PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club played 245 yards.

Only the eighth at Oakmont Country Club will have played longer in the US Open’s previous 122 editions, famously playing 300 yards during the 2007 edition.

The three longest par threes in U.S. Open history to date

*each venue counted once at its longest

With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that the two long par threes are already the cause of much discussion among players and fans alike.

Two-time DP World Tour winner Min Woo Lee has already jokingly posted on Twitter “Good luck bro,” after being faced with the 11th in practice.

Open champion Shane Lowry has indicated on social media his three iron will get plenty of use once the third men’s Major of the year gets going on Thursday, while many will opt for woods.

However, the 11th does play around 50-feet downhill, potentially reducing some of the difficulty off the tee although a front pin location could create its own complexity with the landing position made even more critical for the field.

Visually the hole is also striking, with the backdrop of Los Angeles looming in the distance behind the green.

Despite the postcard views, Morikawa, who won the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai Rankings in 2021, doesn't appear to be its biggest fan. "Special, I wouldn't really use that word," he said in his pre-tournament press conference.

"I would just characterise it as long. It's just a long downhill par three."

Meanwhile, the seventh green is banked steeply from high in the back right down to the front left, with the front right guarded by a bunker, making a pin position anywhere on the right a difficult target.

The Los Angeles Country Club is the first U.S. Open venue to feature five par threes since 1947, when St. Louis Country Club played host.

Also on the scorecard are the 228-yard fourth - which for some might appear a welcome respite from its longer siblings - and the 171-yard ninth.

What is certain is the variety of the par threes will provide a compelling storyline that could prove decisive in the direction of who will come out on top in the home of Hollywood on Sunday.