US Open Golf 2021: Torrey Pines’ defining holes

Torrey Pines' South Course hosts the 2021 US Open Championship, golf's third men's Major of the year.

Our guide to Torrey Pines’ South Course, host of the 2021 US Open golf tournament.

Today’s Golfer’s 2021 Major coverage is brought to you in association with TaylorMade.

Torrey Pines’ South Course looks set to be one of the toughest US Open golf venues ever as it prepares to host the year’s third men’s Major championship.

The 7,652-yard San Diego layout will be barely recognisable from the course that hosts the PGA Tour’s low-scoring Farmers Insurance Open each year so we shouldn’t expect to see a repeat of Patrick Reed’s 14-under par total from January.

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Not only will the rough be up and the fairways narrowed, the course will become a par 71 (35, 36) with the par-5 6th playing as a brutally tough par 4, just as it did when Torrey last hosted the US Open in 2008.

“We’re going back to more old-fashioned US Opens where we put a premium on accuracy off the tee,” said USGA Senior Managing Director John Bodehamer. “You’re going to see that at Torrey Pines. You have to drive your ball in the fairways to control your approach shots, and your pitch and chip shots. The greens will be bouncy.”

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Add into the mix the unpredictable Pacific breeze and tiered Poa greens and it’s more likely that the winning score in California will be over par than match Bryson DeChambeau’s victorious six-under total from Winged Foot.

But where will the 2021 US Open be won and lost? And can we expect the same drama we enjoyed on 2008 when a broken-legged Tiger battled to his 14th Major?

We take a look at the six key South Course holes that will define who is crowned winner of the third men’s golf Major of the year come June 20.

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Torrey Pines South Course 3rd hole

Par 3 | 195 yards

Reminiscent of the 7th at Pebble Beach. The tee shot offers incredible views of the Pacific and plays downhill to a two-tier green, which sits on the edge of a deep ravine. Anything short, left or long can easily find an unplayable lie. Expect two tees, with more than 50 yards difference in length, to be used across all four days.

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Torrey Pines South Course 6th hole

Par 4 | 515 yards

Converted to a par 4 for the US Open. Big hitters will look to cut the corner of the right dog-leg and take a string of bunkers out of play on the left. The green is generous, which is just as well as many players will be going in with a long iron. In 2008, it yielded 39 double bogeys or worse, compared to just 16 birdies.

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Torrey Pines South Course 12th hole

Par 4 | 501 yards

A monster par 4, which saw 210 bogeys in the 2008 US Open, one more than the number of pars recorded. The fairway invites players to be aggressive off the tee but if the wind is against (which it nearly always is), some may struggle to reach the green in two. Last year it played as the third-toughest hole on the PGA Tour all season.

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Torrey Pines South Course 13th hole

Par 5 | 612 yards

A rare par 5 where the scoring average is often over par. A drive of at least 240 yards is needed to carry a canyon and any lay-up thereafter needs to avoid the left side, which brings a lateral hazard into play.When going for it in two, players will need to clear some 260 yards as the green is elevated and protected by bunkers.

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Torrey Pines South Course 17th hole

Par 4 | 440 yards

The newly-renovated 17th is more diabolical than ever, with its fairway edging ever closer to a canyon on the left side. A lay-up just short of the extended fairway bunkers on the right is the safe play for the big hitters and leaves an approach to an elevated and severely undulating green, guarded by two bunkers.

Torrey Pines South Course 18th hole

Par 5 | 568 yards

Ranked as the second easiest on the course in January. The 18th is the only hole where water comes into play; just ask Bruce Devlin. In contention for the 1975 San Diego Open, the Aussie went for the green in two and took six hacks to get his ball out of the water. The pond is now called ‘Devlin’s Billabong’.

The 18th is also the scene of Tiger Woods’ infamous putt from 2008 when the 15-time Major champion holed a 12ft birdie putt to force an 18-hole play-off with Rocco Mediate. Woods eventually sealed victory on the 19th play-off hole, all while playing with a broken leg!

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