Fair ways of course may not stop Tiger

GIVEN ITS location, only a short limousine journey from Capitol Hill, Congressional CC might be viewed as an appropriate setting for golfing justice.

It's a quaint notion which looks set to be realised in the 97th US Open, which starts this morning on a course generally viewed as the fairest in the recent history of the event.

The 35-yard fairways here are unusually generous for the blue riband of American golf. This concession is offset, however, by a record overall length of 7,213 yards, brutal rough up to 10 inches in depth and devilishly sloping greens which will have reached a Stimpmeter speed of 12 by the weekend.

In terms of the overall scoring, however, one is entitled to take a jaundiced view of the par of 70. This figure seems to hold a particular fascination for the USGA in setting the par of their Open courses, which explains why two par fives for Congressional's members have been converted into long par fours for the purposes of this week's test.

Professionals averse to the idea of hitting long-iron second shots to par fours, might be well-ad-vised to consider the bible verse which Tom Lehman summoned to help him in an ultimately vain struggle at Oakland Hills 12 months ago. "Be strong and courageous; be not dismayed; have strength."

Whether he realised it or not, Ireland's Darren Clarke was thinking such thoughts during a second practice round which didn't go particularly well yesterday. Yet he responded: "I still feel good about my chances here, mainly because I like the course.

Paul McGinley, who joined him for a second successive day, this time in the company of Andrew Coltart and Lee Westwood, was similarly optimistic. But Padraig Harrington had problems. "I got too much of the sun yesterday and became dehydrated," he said. "But at this stage, I don't feel the need for medical attention."

Such treatment would be appropriate, however, for any player tempted to pursue an errant golf ball into the lake at the 17th and 18th holes. Two men in a boat were actively engaged there yesterday morning in pursuit of a water snake which eluded capture.

The incident gave a charming insight into the real persona of Tiger Woods, a young man whose prodigious talent has thrust him into the sporting limelight.

Woods, who happened to be playing the 17th hole at the time, watched the whole affair with boyish fascination from the bank behind the green, his caddie, "Fluff" beside him, taking advantage of the concession to wear shorts.

In an attempt to beat the crowds, Woods had teed off the 10th at 6.15 am, but was forced to give way to maintenance crews preparing the course for the day's activities. He eventually set off at 7.30 a.m. in the company of Ian Woosnam and Paul Broadhurst.

Though they played only the 10th before Woods set off on his own, it was enough to make a lasting impression on Broadhurst. "I had never been that close to him before," said the English Ryder Cup player. It was most impressive to see him flick a five-iron second shot where I needed a two."

Meanwhile, the leading challengers are engaged in mind games, building themselves psychologically to cope with the presence of Woods. As Lehman put it: "Most guys feel like if they're playing their best, they ie going to win a tournament, no matter who's in the field. I feel the same way. If I plays to my potential, I feel I can win.

Colin Montgomerie, whose straight driving has marked him as a natural for this title, drew comparisons with the US Masters in which Woods made a professional major breakthrough two months ago. "The playing field here is more level than at Augusta," said the Scot. "We didn't perform at all against him there. So, we'Il see how we get on here.

Deep down, however, Montgomerie must fear the worst, having had a particularly close look at Woods in action while shooting a 75 as his playing partner on the third day at Augusta. And as a keen student of the game, he would know about the exploits of Jack Nicklaus 35 years ago, when the Bear beat Oakmont into submission with titanic one-iron shots.

This is a very special championship for Nicklaus, for two reasons. It is his 150th appearance in a "major" and he is joined in the field by his 28-year-old son, Gary.

Slightly surprised" at being granted a special exemption for this, his 41st successive US Open, Nicklaus said: "I wouldn't dare turn down the USGA."

He went on: "You're darned right it's special for me and I'm looking forward to playing well. I thought the Masters would end my streak (of successive major appearances), but I'd really like to show people I can play a little bit, to repay the faith they've placed in me.

Meanwhile, at the mature golf" ing age of 38, Steve Jones feels honoured to be in the elevated position of defending champion. "I've won only one major, you know," he said with a typical grin. "I'm Cinderella again this week, which is fine by me."

Phil Mickelson, on the other hand, has yet to make the breakthrough. And it irks him. "I've been out here on tour for five or six years now and it's time I got my first major," he said. "It's pretty important to me."

There is much talk here about the prospects of other talented Americans, notably Brad Faxon and Davis Love. These players have yet to prove, however, that they possess the necessary grit to win at this level. Love spectacularly squandered the chance at Oakland Hills last year by three-putting the 72nd, while Faxon couldn't wait to get off the leaderboard in the 1994 British Open.

Then there is Nick Price who showed impressive form in the Kemper Open last weekend when finishing third behind Justin Leonard. "You have to play the US Open with conservative aggression if there is such a thing, he said. You hit it to the middle of the green, but you play aggressively to get it there."

Steve Elkington, Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and Ernie Els are others worthy of consideration But a pattern was set at Augusta two months ago which will be valid for the remainder of this decade, at least. Woods is the player they have to beat.