ACCORDING to Mike Davis, the United States Golf Association's director of championships, it's the long hitters with a high trajectory who can land the ball softly on the greens who should enjoy an advantage at Bethpage in the US Open.
For Scotland's Martin Laird, who will be the only representative from the home of golf when America's national championship gets underway this morning, the course set-up is positive news since it's expected to suit his style of play.
A powerful h
itter, ranked 19th in driving distance on the US PGA Tour, Laird is hopeful of making a mark in what will be his second appearance in the US Open after making his debut at Oakmont two years ago.
"The last US Open for me was just an opportunity to soak up the atmosphere with no great expectations," he recalled. "I didn't really believe I could contend there. This time I know if I play the way I can play, then there's no reason why I can't do something."
Although there are no grounds for discussing Laird's game in the context of winning one of golf's most prized titles, the 26-year-old Scot is blessed with many of the qualities required to play 72 holes over the Black Course and further his major championship education.
"It's playing very long with all the rain here and drivers are just stopping where they land," he reports "It's a big golf course, that's the reputation it's got. Even before I made it through qualifying, a number of folk said to me it would be good for me to play in this US Open because Bethpage would suit my game."
