BROOKLINE, Mass. — The 11th is unquestionably a U.S. Open must-see. If you can see it.
On Saturday at The Country Club, the crowds arrived early — well before the 3:46 p.m. final pairing. They arrived loudly, forgetting that Saturday mornings are tepid, even sleepy at most golf tournaments. And they arrived, it appeared, to see No. 11.
This was good news for the marshals located around No. 11, particularly those who have noticed that the hole is a natural amphitheater perfect for creating U.S. Open roars. It was bad news for most everyone else. By noon, the grandstand adjacent to the 11th green felt like that one scene in “Forrest Gump.”
“This seat’s taken, sorry.”
“Nah, someone’s sitting here.”