Yes, there have been plenty of birdies, pars and bogeys on the 7,015-yard course covered with tall oak and sycamore trees and concrete cart paths. But Fairbanks Ranch Professional Grant Strobel has been the lone athlete to shoot under-par through two rounds of the three-day tournament, which concludes today. He's posted a pair of one-under-par 71s for a two-round score of 140 and owns a three-stroke lead over Oakmont assistant professional Donny Lee.
"I like the course a lot, but it's demanding with shots off the tee," said Strobel, who played the course once prior to the beginning of the three-day tournament. "I think they have done a great job at renovating the course.
"You definitely have to stay patient. There are a lot of risk-and-reward holes out there."
Since Monday, many in the field have had to spend a moment or two fighting their way out of the inviting bunkers that were once practically unreachable to save par or seek the possibility of recording a birdie. Finding different ways to avoid a setback — bogey or worse — has been on the golfers' minds, in addition to the plethora of club members who have stopped by to watch the tournament.
Having played the course, which opened in 1922, about 100 times in the last five years, Lee said the field needs to always have their thinking caps on during each round.
"In this tournament, we only have had one person shoot under par in both rounds," said Lee, who carded a 73 on Tuesday during the second round and is in second place at 143. "On the front nine, I've just tried to get my feet under me and then see how I play.
"It's still a tough, old course and the conditions are way more consistent. From the tees to the greens, everything is consistent. The course is in great shape."
