Ask The Expert: Post-US Open Reaction

With over 30 years as a PGA member, Teed Up Golf Tours’ Director of Golf, Michael (Mike) Mosher, sits down to share his thoughts on the 2019 US Open.

Mike has extensive golfing experience and has been rated a AAA golf professional for the last 15 years. Mike is also a multi-awarded PGA Golf Professional, playing not only throughout Australasia, but also in Canada and Japan.

Gary Woodland’s 2019 US Open win was his sixth professional victory and the first major championship of his career. He certainly wasn’t one of the favourites heading into Pebble Beach a few weeks ago, but he proved that his execution was perfect and his gutsy chip on the 17th was worthy to win any tournament.

We caught up with Mike Mosher, who was on tour at Pebble Beach during the US Open,  to give us the low-down on how he saw the tournament play out.

Our first question to Mike was about the winner himself, Gary Woodland. Despite going into the tournament at 2/1, not many people had him on their list of potential winners. What did Mike think made it special for Woodland this time around?

“I think Gary played great and everything went right for him and that’s what you need to happen to win these days , the competition is so good that you need not only to play well but to have good tee times, goog yardages and a bit of luck too!”

We then asked Mike about Woodland’s incredible shot on the 17th.

“I felt like he had it after he hit the great chip on the 17th. All he really had to go was hit a good tee shot on the 18th and that would give him the buffer he much needed. He had a great tournament and played so well. He kept his emotions in check at all times and he proved what a great professional he is by winning the tournament.”

“Nothing went wrong with Brooks at the US Open; we just have to remember that the bar is high for Brookes – he finished 2nd at the US Open and his last four major finishes were 1st, 2nd, 1st and 2nd – something only Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods have done previously. I think he’ll be disappointed not to win but he’ll get over it in a hurry!”

Now for the course itself. In the four previous Opens at Pebble, a total of 12 players were under par. This week there were 31. What’s your take on this year’s course?

“This year the course was set up a little easier with softer greens and fairways – the wind really didn’t blow and the greens were in better condition and less bumpy.”

We asked Mike who his biggest winners and losers of the US Open were?

“I was hugely disappointed with Patrick Reed; he was terrible – breaking his club over his knee – can expect something like that in other sports but surely not on a golf course. What a joke! I was impressed, again, with Brooke Koepka. He was unbelievable, I didn’t think he could keep his form going and now he is in a Tiger-like run in majors. Brooks is certainly one of the ones to watch at The Open in Ireland.”

“Disappointing! I felt like the courses did suit them all, but they didn’t seem to get going. I’m hoping they would have a bigger impact in Ireland.”

And finally, we asked Mike, overall, how was this year’s US Open and what stood out for you this year?

“The location! Pebble Beach is definitely one of the best places to go to if you’ve got any interest in golf whatsoever. It’s even a good place for non-golfers to go to! This place is amazing and we take regular tours to Pebble Beach because it’s such a memorable place.

“I would say it’s one of my favourite golfing locations, and if anybody wants to experience Pebble Beach for themselves, I welcome them to get in contact with me directly.”

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