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It’s easy to get defensive at the U.S. Open, although I should say that by Sunday in 2006, I was slashing at the driver a bit more because I figured I might as well get it closer to the green to set up shorter approach shots. I’m not so sure that it’s a very wise approach most of the time, but it worked at Winged Foot.

Although I’m one of the last few on tour to hang onto my beloved 2-iron, Augusta is the one week I consider a 5-wood, for the 2nd, 4th, 13th and 15th holes. However, I am also considering it at the U.S. Open for getting out of the rough. Phil Mickelson has mastered a shot in which he advances it nicely out of deep rough with his hybrid, but I’m not quite as comfortable with that play yet.

Typically I go to both tournaments a couple of weeks beforehand to play a practice round then arrive the Sunday prior. I want to sign in at Augusta as early as possible to get ideal starting times for the practice rounds and the Par 3 Contest. The Masters practice rounds are the best of the year due to the celebratory atmosphere, presence of so many legends and great fun in playing the course (like skipping the ball across the water on the 16th).

During Masters and U.S. Open practice rounds, I practice putting more than at a normal tour stop—particularly long putts up tiers like at Nos. 5 and 6 at Augusta or at diabolically contoured Open greens such as Oakmont’s. But I hit mostly chips and bunker shots because whereas I can work on putting on the practice green, I can’t really capture the true nature of the on-course chip shots at most practice areas.

The U.S. Open is a longer week than the Masters. I am never physically tired at the end of either, but the U.S. Open can leave you mentally exhausted. Oakmont wore me out. Just when I felt like I was about to get on top of the course, I’d make a double bogey. At the Open, you won’t get a chance to get it back with an eagle like you can at Augusta. The lack of any openings really wears you down and marks the biggest difference between the two.

The U.S. Open is certainly not enjoyable while I’m playing, but there’s something very pleasing about shooting 70, a score that would leave me feeling like I didn’t get the most out of my round anywhere else.

Overall, if I could only play either the Masters or the U.S. Open this year, I’d be lying if I did not say the Masters. With the exception of the changes to the 11th and 17th holes, where the club has planted too many trees, it’s easily the most enjoyable, exciting and fulfilling tournament we play all year.

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