top of page
Writer's pictureStephen Kirck

Everything you need to know about the 2023 US Open - course details, TV schedule, tee times and more


Credit: US Open Golf

Father’s Day Weekend and US Open are a GREAT Combination


It’s Father’s Day Weekend. That means barbecues, cookouts, quality time with the family, and the US Open Golf Tournament.


The beauty of the location this year - Los Angeles CC - is that you can partake in whatever your Father’s Day routine is and not miss as much golf since the tournament is on the west coast. YES, that means PRIME TIME golf for those on the eastern half of the country!


This is the first of a two-part US Open Preview on AaronTorresOnline.com and will focus on course information, television coverage, notables in the field, keys to winning and some top 20 finishers to think about before we dive into a bunch of picks in our day two coverage.


As always, our partner - Betfred Sportsbook - has a lot of opportunities to get in the action.


COURSE INFORMATION: The North Course at Los Angeles Country Club will host the US Open for the first time. The only other time the City of Angels hoisted this prestigious USGA event was in 1948 when Riviera Country Club was the host. Ben Hogan won that year.


The North Course will play at 7,423 yards, which seems like a lot, but will play a tad shorter based on topography and firm and wider than usual fairways. There are five par threes and five par five’s and will play to a par 70.



One of those par 3’s, the seventh hole, will play to as many as 284 yards pending the tee location, weather and course conditions. Opposite that is the 15th hole, which could be as short as 92 yards, and would be the shortest in US Open history.


Conversely, four of the five par-5s are potentially reachable in two. The lone exception, the 623 yard 14th-hole. That leaves only 10 par-4s, with three of those measuring 480 or more yards. Then, there’s the drivable 10th hole, which because it is downhill is only 292 in the air. However, it’s risk/reward as the green is arguably the smallest and narrowest of the 18.


THE CUT POLICY: With 156 players in the field, including 15 LIV defectors, only the low 60 players and ties will book a weekend tee time. If that exact number of golfers qualifies for 72 holes, that means only 38% of the field will earn a paycheck. For example, the Masters policy is low 50 and ties but that field is typically less than 100 players with a much higher percentage making the cut. Those teeing it up on Thursday and Friday better bring their A game if they want to collect a paycheck.


TELEVISION COVERAGE:


Thursday, June 15


6:30-10:00 am PST (9:30 am-1 pm EST) - Peacock

10:00 am-5:00 pm PST (1-8:00 pm EST) - USA Network (how appropriate)

5:00-8:00 pm PST (8-11:00 pm EST) - NBC


Friday, June 16


6:30-10:00 am PST (9:30 am-1 pm EST) - Peacock

10:00 am-5:00 pm PST (1-8:00 pm EST) - USA Network (how appropriate)

5:00-8:00 pm PST (8-11:00 pm EST) - NBC


Saturday, June 17


10:00 am-8:00 pm PST (1-11:00 pm EST) - NBC


Sunday, June 18


9:00-10:00 am PST (12:00-1:00 pm EST) - Peacock

10:00 am-7:00 pm (1-10:00 pm EST) - NBC


NOTABLES IN THE FIELD: It’s the US Open so anybody who is anybody in the world of golf is in Los Angeles this week. Other than Tiger Woods and Will Zalatoris, the golf world has convened at LACC. This is the lone major that over 10,000 golfers try to qualify for. That starts out with local qualifying at over 100 locations in 44 states before regional qualifying completes the field with those who have qualified under the 24 rules in place.



LAST YEAR’S WINNER/INTERESTING NOTES: Matthew Fitzpatrick won last year at The Country Club outside Boston. The two major winners this year so far are Scottie Sheffler (Masters) and Brooks Koepka (PGA). Sheffler will look to become only the seventh player to win the Masters and US Open in the same year. He would join Craig Wood (1941), Ben Hogan (1951/1953), Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972), Tiger Woods (2002) and Jordan Spieth (2015).


PLAYOFF: If there are two or more players tied following 72 holes of stroke play, a two-hole aggregate will take place with the first and 18th holes being used.


KEYS TO WINNING: Normally at a US Open, driving accuracy is paramount. That will be a little less the case this year with fairways as wide as 43 yards. Having said that, the rough is as much as four inches thick so wayward tee shots will be punished. The winner at LACC will likely need a combination of driving accuracy, approach to the green, scrambling prowess and bogey or worse avoidance.


TOP 20 PLAYS: Let’s tease you before Wednesday’s article with more plays to consider. Here’s three players that should play themselves into Top 20 consideration after 72 holes…


Ricky Fowler - Ricky has been on a heater. He’s played in 17 events this year. He’s made the cut 15 times with 12 top 25 finishes. This also includes six top-10 paychecks and a runner-up outing at the Zozo Championship. He finished T6 and T9 in his last two times playing.


Sahith Theegala - Sahith started the year strong but hasn’t played as well lately. A return to his West Coast roots is just what the doctor ordered for Theegala. He finished T4 at The Farmers Championship and T6 at the Genesis and Fortinet events on the West Coast. Being in Los Angeles will help bring out the best of Theegala’s game.


Russell Henley - Henley finished fourth at The Masters and has six top-20 finishes in his last seven starts. The wider fairways will help his chances and his iron game is in the top tier on tour. When you add that he ranks first in driving accuracy (71%) and scrambling from the fringe, it adds up to a solid play.


Follow Stephen Kirck on Twitter - @SKirck


For full US Open odds visit the Betfred Sportsbook


21+ OH Residents. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler



Comments


bottom of page