Weekend Chat / Friday at the U.S. Open Comment Section

Hello!

Before we get to our Friday chat about the U.S. Open, I’ve got a couple Club TFE talking points to run through with you all.

First, I’d like to apologize for the inconvenience this week as our technology decided to stop working during the U.S. Open. Being unable to have active comment sections early in the week was less than ideal. Thank you to those who went back and added notes into Design Notebook and the Pinehurst No. 10 profile. Your feedback and discussion is a valued part of Club TFE and we were beyond frustrated to not have those working. Fingers crossed I don’t have to spend 48 hours talking with support teams again anytime soon 🙂

Second, Meg would like to remind everyone that if you have not yet ordered your 2024 member gift through Red Rooster to please do so by next Friday. Use code MEMBERGIFT2024 at checkout and use the links below to order in your correct country. If you do not live in the U.S. or Canada, please look for an email from me last week with directions.

Links to Order

U.S. Members:

https://redroostergolf.com/products/the-fried-egg

Canadian Members:

https://ca.redroostergolf.com/products/the-shell

Now, let’s talk a little U.S. Open, shall we?

A very mean pin

For those who haven’t tuned in just yet, the pin on No. 1 is incredibly mean. Just watch this shot from Mark Hubbard. That thing must be just a pace above the false front. It is giving people all sorts of issues so far this morning. I’d actually expect it to play easier this afternoon as the course firms up and balls don’t spin back as much. -Will Knights

You gotta hand it to ’em

Xander Schauffele isn’t leading the U.S. Open, but he has been the most impressive player to this point in my opinion. He was *terrible* off the tee yesterday yet managed to figure out a way to shoot 70. Today, he started with back-to-back bogeys yet has worked his way into contention with five birdies over the last 10 holes. A lesser player could have very easily thrown in the towel this weekend. -Will Knights

You can’t please everyone

I should start by saying that I respect Golf Digest‘s John Huggan a great deal and enjoy sparring with him occasionally on the Hell App. But this tweet—in which he intended to refer to the struggles of Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Scottie Scheffler to recover from left of the fifth green at Pinehurst No. 2—is an example of the impossible predicament the USGA finds itself in when setting up a U.S. Open course. If the greens are a touch soft, one half of the media tent shouts at you; somewhat firm, and the other half finds its voice.

From where I’m sitting (to wit, at home, watching on TV), the course looks like it’s presented almost perfectly today. And next time, Rory, Xander, and Scottie will know not to miss left of a left pin on No. 5. -Garrett Morrison

Bryson visits Smylie

I won’t say it was the best segment I’ve ever seen, but Bryson DeChambeau handled himself quite well on his appearance with Smylie Kaufmann this afternoon. What’s most impressive about Bryson’s PR rehabilitation is that he hasn’t over done it, at least not yet. A big part of that is that non LIV watchers see him significantly less over the course of the year that they would have if he were playing 25 times. The only danger for Bryson is if he starts feeling himself too much. But for now, it genuinely seems like golf fans are accepting of this dose of Bryson. Not me, but others. – Will Knights