There are two holes at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., where double bogey lurks: the par-3 8th and the par-4 16th. Hazeltine member Scott Gustafson has survived them often enough to win nine club championships, so I asked for a weekend scouting report for the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
“Those are two tee shots you’re thinking about before you even tee off,” says the 42-year-old who carries a plus-3.6 handicap. “Double bogey is waiting.”
The 152-yard 8th is played to a slender green between bunkers on the left and water short and right. There’s little room to miss, especially when the wind picks up.
The par-4 16th demands players thread a tee shot between Hazeltine Lake on the right and a creek up the left. The green is surrounded by water and a pin on the right side of the green looks like it's practically floating.
Despite a favorable southeast wind and accessible hole locations–particularly Friday's 8th pin, which sat well away from the water–the holes still ranked second and third hardest through two rounds.
“The rest of the course, there’s not a ton of penalty strokes,” says Gustafson. “You’re not going to hit it out of bounds. It’s a big ballpark.”
Gustafson was my college teammate at the University of Notre Dame. He made the game look effortless and always led by example. His smooth putting stroke, steady demeanor and thoughtful approach made him one of the best on the team. He’s a working man and a father now but he can still go low – and often, around club championship time.
He followed World No. 1 Nelly Korda in Round 1 and came away with some observations.
A heavy rainstorm soaked the golf course on Tuesday. The rough had been thick but was mowed down to about two-and-a-half inches before the Championship began. Still, Gustafson was surprised by how low the scores were, even under calm skies. Charley Hull called the soft conditions of the opening rounds “dart golf.” It was a style that didn’t suit her game and she missed advancing to the weekend by a shot.
“The pins were tucked and you still had to hit really good shots,” says Gustafson. “The course is a completely different animal when the rough is heavier and the greens are firmed.”
The difference has been evident throughout Hazeltine’s history.
Only two courses in the U.S. have hosted a U.S. Open, PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Amateur Championship and Ryder Cup. One is Pinehurst. The other is Hazeltine. Notables that have been crowned in these events include Payne Stewart, Billy Casper, Hollis Stacy, Rich Beem and Y.E. Yang (the last two denying Tiger two more majors).
The Robert Trent Jones Sr. design opened in 1962 and hosted its first U.S. Women’s Open four years later. During the 1970 U.S. Open, only seven players broke 75 in the opening round as 40 mph winds battered the course. Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus shot 79, 80 and 81, respectively.
Tony Jacklin was the only player under par at the end of the tournament, winning by seven. Runner-up Dave Hill famously quipped that Hazeltine was missing "80 acres of corn and a few cows. They ruined a good farm when they built this course.”
“It’s been a serious testing ground,” says Gustafson. “Whoever comes out on top wins at a place with historical significance.”
So far this week, Hazeltine has looked uncharacteristically vulnerable.
The last time the Women’s PGA was held here, Australia’s Hannah Green won at 9-under par. On Thursday, South Korea’s Ina Yoon matched the 18-hole scoring record with a 9-under 63. She continued picking Hazeltine apart in Round 2, ending with the lowest 36-hole total to par in tournament history. She heads into the weekend carrying a five-shot lead at 12-under.
Scores that would normally contend in a major championship have barely kept pace.
The weekend forecast could begin to change that. Saturday and Sunday call for 10-20 mph winds and the possibility of storms. Those hoping to chase down Yoon on the weekend will have to play aggressively.
One place to make up ground is the 514-yard, risk-reward par-5 7th. Longer hitters can take an aggressive line up the right side, shortening the hole and creating an eagle possibility.
“The greens on TV look somewhat nondescript because there aren’t dramatic slopes or tiers. But there's absolutely sides of the hole that are better than others,” says Gustafson. “Knowing where to place the ball to have a good chance at birdie is important.”
Gustafson plans to bring his boys to the course this weekend. He’s looking forward to spending the day with family and watching one of golf’s biggest championships unfold.
“Those ladies really can play,” he says. “I find it very fun to watch. It’s impressive.”
