The outgoing head pro at Oakmont, Bob Ford, said the course was originally designed as a links style course, and over the years the tees grew in. Removing them was a throwback to the original idea. Nevertheless, this US Open is yet another struggle that's not any fun to watch. The speed on the greens is absurd, given the slope in them. Rather than a test to determine the best golfer, it's a stage to identify the least unlucky one that weekend.