To accommodate the 2011 US Open, Congressional went through quite a change. It’s not what it once was. In 2012, the Quicken Loans National event (then called the AT&T National) resumed its play at the Blue Course, and did so up until 2014 — where thereafter it agreed to return to Congressional each even number year, through 2020. The odd number years have no set course as of yet. In 2015 it was played at Robert Trent Jones, and in 2017 it will be played at the TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm.
The last three times the event was played here, the Blue Course has ranked among the Top-10 toughest courses on the Tour that year.
Perhaps not as much as Oakmont, Congressional will still challenge every aspect of the player’s game. At 7,574 Yards, Congressional is one of the longest courses on Tour. The area has received ample rain this summer and will play even longer. The three previous winners at Congressional are Tiger Woods, Bill Haas and Justin Rose.
The 3 Keys to Success
DRIVING ACCURACY
The rough won’t play as gnarly as last week, but it will be penal. The fairways are well protected by bunkers. It won’t be easy once the player misses the fairway.
Top Players This Week: Brian Stuard, Zac Blair and Jim Furyk.
GREENS IN REGULATION
The course is expected to play soft over the first couple of days and as such hitting greens might be slightly easier. But hitting greens will still be crucial at this track and will lead to more birdie opportunities.
Top Players This Week: Lucas Glover, Rickie Fowler and Patrick Rodgers.
SCRAMBLING
With any long course, comes the importance of Scrambling. The players will miss greens, no doubt about that, which eventually would more pressure on scrambling.
Top Players This Week: Patrick Reed, Chez Reavie and Jamie Lovemark.
