When the U.S. Women's Open last visited Oakmont Country Club in 1992, Patty Sheehan prevailed over Juli Inkster in a Monday playoff after matching four-day totals of 4-under par.
No word whether the U.S. Golf Association was showing mercy.
Oakmont and the USGA last tested the game's top men three years ago, when Angel Cabrera won at 5 over — and hardly anyone complained about a tricked-up layout. Judging from early reviews, this Women's Open will more resemble that affair than the 1992 version.
It didn't take long before warnings began rolling in via Twitter.
From Christina Kim: "For the record. I have never in all my life seen a golf course like Oakmont. This place is a beast and a half."
Karen Stupples: "its pebble on steroids!"
Paula Creamer: "Wow this is an unbelievable golf course! Should be interesting. Please be nice USGA!"
USGA setup chief Mike Davis relied heavily on his 2007 Oakmont notes in planning for this week, with length the only real adjustment.
"Let's try to (visualize) how the women play Oakmont and virtually try to set it up in the same manner," Davis said Wednesday. "That's essentially what you see."
New biggest fan: Bubba Watson, who claimed a British Open berth for finishing behind Justin Rose on a special mini-money list that ended at the AT&T; National, has no qualms admitting he was pulling hard for Rose to win Sunday.
"I was like his parents," said Watson, who was watching from home.
If Ryan Moore had overtaken Rose down the stretch, Moore would have bumped Watson from the second money-list spot. Moore got in anyway as the National's highest top-5 finisher not already in the field.
Tap-ins: This week's scenario for Phil Mickelson to topple Tiger Woods from atop the world rankings requires a Scottish Open win or solo second. It marks Mickelson's fifth tournament with a chance to claim the No. 1 ranking, dating back to The Players Championship. … Mickelson's empty quest has allowed Woods to claim his 13th consecutive Mark McCormack Award for the most weeks at No. 1 in a calendar year.
— Jeff Shain