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No. 13 - Par 4 - 378 Yards
This is a classic short par four that can be especially treacherous around the green. Players should not have much trouble safely clearing the fairway bunkers on the right, but navigating this narrow fairway may alter club selection off the tee. The green sits 15 to 20 feet higher than the fairway, protected by numerous bunkers, once again making club selection essential in trying to keep your ball on the putting surface. Players may have to take one club more than normal, because an approach hit even slightly short will roll back down into the fairway. Two putts on this green is no small feat.
No. 14 - Par 4 - 468 Yards
The scenic view from this elevated tee will show a straightforward hole that requires a shot favoring the right side of the fairway, avoiding the bunker on the left. The green here is an excellent example of how the many swales, that Ross built into the perimeters of his putting surfaces, effectively shrink the size of the hittable area. In this case, the most dangerous swales are those behind the green, because a ball that is hit long could roll down a slope as much as 25 yards beyond the green. The swale on the right is no bargain, either, for it will kick you away from the green down into a green-side bunker which sits well below the putting surface.
No. 15 - Par 3 - 203 Yards
Two of the last four holes at No. 2 are difficult par threes, with this one requiring a 203-yard tee shot to one of the most severely crowned greens on the course. Getting the ball to stay on this green with the tee shot is an accomplishment. A competitor who can effectively shape his shot, and manage the trajectory, will have a better opportunity to birdie this challenging hole. The false front will repel any shots hit short, and the deep green-side bunkers will swallow up any errant shots missed to the right. Competitors walking off this green will be pleased with a score of par three.
No. 16 - Par 4 - 492 Yards
Usually this hole is a par five for member and resort play, but for the U. S. Open it will play as a par four. During the 1999 U.S. Open, the field averaged 4.5 strokes. Notice the pond just off the tee-the only water on the course, and it will not come into play. The left-side fairway bunker should pose no problem, but the two bunkers to the right of the landing area are very much in play. A long, well-positioned drive here will leave a middle-iron approach to this classic Ross green. A downhill, double-breaking 20-footer holed by Payne Stewart here in 1999 was the first of three clutch one-putts that propelled him to his U. S. Open victory.
No. 17 - Par 3 - 190 Yards
This picturesque par-three, guarded by five bunkers, played a pivotal role in the outcome of the 1999 U.S. Open, with Payne Stewart making a dramatic birdie to assume a one-shot lead heading into the final hole. Right-side hole locations are the most difficult as a gaping bunker in the front of the green, and a bunker in the back right, stand ready to swallow mis-judged shots. The front portion of this green is sloped considerably from right-to-left.
No. 18 - Par 4 - 442 Yards
This Donald Ross masterpiece culminates with a superb par four that plays uphill and slightly left-to-right. A hole location in the right portion of the green is far more accessible from the left side of the fairway-although a deep swale creeping into the putting surface from the right can kick approach shots well beyond the green. Avoiding the long, deep fairway bunker down the right side off the tee leaves a mid-to-short iron into the green. The green-side bunker short is particularly tough, and don't be long, as up and downs from behind the green are very rare. In the final round of the 1999 U.S. Open, Payne Stewart saved his par here by calmly rolling in an uphill 15 footer to a hole location that was 25 paces on and 6 from the right to win his second U. S. Open. The statue that now stands behind the green celebrates his victory pose.
Source: Pinehurst Resort Golf Media Guide
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