Sunday 14 June 2015 21:02, UK
Ewen Murray looks forward to seeing how the world's elite players will tackle the challenges provided by Robert Trent Jones Jnr's Chambers Bay at this week's US Open.
As I prepare to cross the Pond, I have read, like most of you no doubt, what awaits the players at this year's US Open to be hosted by Chambers Bay Golf Club
This is the first American Open to be played in the Pacific Northwest so it's all brand new to the majority of the field. Chambers Bay opened only eight years ago and was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, and this is the first time one of his creations has been used for a major championship.
The budget for the course extended to over $20m and it was carved from an old salt mine that nestled by the Puget Sound - an hour’s drive out of the bustling and thriving city of Seattle. Having presented the US Amateur Championship in 2010, won by Peter Uihlein, it is an unknown quantity and already, many have voiced their opinions, if not concerns, about the choice of the USGA.
Firstly, I would point out that their well-respected championship director, Mike Davis, is a traditionalist, yet over the past few years, Mike has been more than happy to try new innovations and many of these choices have worked out fine.
For instance, taking his national Open back to Merion worked out superbly well despite having a less-than required infrastructure to host a modern-day major. Merion provided a great test, just as it did when the great Ben Hogan fired "that" one-iron to its 18th hole in 1950.
Put concerns aside
Merion provided an excellent champion in Justin Rose and delivered a magnificent championship. The concerns this year should be put aside and only addressed when the new champion is crowned in Washington State at the end of next week. I have a feeling that there will be no questions to be answered and we will enjoy another compelling week in the major world of golf.
There are as always many contenders for the title. The new wave of young Americans have blazed a trail from the start of the season and are showing no signs of slowing. Rose has found form after a sluggish start to the year and fellow Englishman Ian Poulter, with his sixth place at the Masters, confirmed he is able to raise his game for the four elite events in our sport.
Britain, of course, has its own young guns and Danny Willett has come of age. Improving all the time is Ireland's Shane Lowry. All of these golfers are fine talents and each of them are inspired by our world No 1, Rory McIlroy.
I believe this will be one of the most open majors in many a year as the Chambers Bay course will only tolerate shot making of the highest quality and, should the conditions be firm and fast as expected, patience will a prime requirement.
I believe Martin Kaymer has a more than decent chance of a successful defence. His temperament is sound and his vision and focus is impressive. I believe these qualities will play a big part over the four days. I also like the chances of Patrick Reed. For someone so young, his array of shot-making belies his years.
World No 2, Jordan Spieth will be there or thereabouts come Sunday. His caddie and close friend, Michael Greller, has looped over this course more than 50 times while he was studying at University. That experience will be of great assistance to Jordan over the four days.
Can Mickelson land the elusive major?
While I'm thinking with my head, my heart says, Phil Mickelson. A win here would make Phil only the sixth man in the history of the game to achieve a career Grand Slam. While I always support our players from Europe, I would be thrilled if Mickelson could achieve the Holy Grail.
I have got to know Phil a little through his close working relationship and friendship with Butch Harmon. He is an outstanding man and he is the People's Champion. Having finished second no fewer than six times in his national Open, not many would deny him his moment in history.
You will have your favourites and I wish you well with these choices.
For the first time at the US Open, Fox Sports are the host broadcaster. They replace NBC after many successful years at the helm. Making his debut in the commentary box for Fox is my long-time friend, Greg Norman. I'm sure he will do a fine job and I look forward to catching up with him.
Our team at Sky Sports includes, Paul McGinley, Butch, Rob Lee and Rich Beem. Colin Montgomerie is playing having qualified as Senior US Open champion, but Monty will join us when he can and tell us his thoughts on a course he has just played. There is no doubt we will get the truth from Monty!
So there we have it. I look forward to David Livingstone opening our first round coverage of this year's US Open at 5pm on Thursday. The second major of the year is upon us. Looking at the new venue, I don't think it will be a "Chamber of Horrors", but it might well be a "Chamber of Secrets"!
