Don’t worry, there are some easy questions, too.
Opening six holes — not too tough
1. The island that housed a federal prison that became a state prison is visible from Chambers Bay. What is the name of the island?
a) Fantasy Island
b) McNeil Island
Key
16-18 correct: Super golf fan
13-15 correct: You know your golf
10-12 correct: You made the cut
7-9 correct: A noble effort
6 or below: Back to the practice range
c) Alcatraz
d) Double-bogey Island
2. Chambers Bay golf course is in which suburb of Tacoma?
a) University Place
b) Lakewood
c) Fife
d) Puyallup
3. A major rule change in golf will go into effect Jan. 1, 2016. You will hear about this impending change at the U.S. Open. The rule forbids:
a) Orange pants
b) Metal spikes on golf shoes
c) Red golf bags
d) “Anchored putting” in which a golfer anchors the putter to his chest or stomach to get a smoother pendulum motion.
4. Tiger Woods broke up in early May with which famous skier?
a) Nancy Green
b) Anja Parson
c) Lindsey Vonn
d) Hanni Wenzel
5. Par at Chambers Bay is usually 72 but for the U.S. Open it will be:
a) 66
b) 70
c) 75
d) 84
6. The U.S. Open at Chambers Bay will be the what-numbered U.S. Open?
a) 62nd
b) 200th
c) 5th
d) 115th
Next six holes — getting tougher
7. I won the 1950 U.S. Open 16 months after being involved in a serious car-bus accident. Who am I?
a) Ben Hogan
b) Sam Snead
c) Gene Sarazen
d) Walter Hagen
8. I won my first professional tournament at the 1962 U.S. Open. Let’s just say I won a few more after that. Who am I?
a) Gary Player
b) Billy Casper
c) Jack Nicklaus
d) Arnold Palmer
9. Which golfer never has won the U.S. Open?
a) Rory McIlroy
b) Lucas Glover
c) Phil Mickelson
d) Webb Simpson
10. I set the record for largest winning margin in a U.S. Open when I won by 15 strokes in 2000 at Pebble Beach. Who am I?
a) Gary Player
b) Tiger Woods
c) Fred Couples
d) John Daly
11. I set the U.S. Open record for most strokes under par for 72 holes at 16-under in the 2011 championship at Congressional Country Club outside Washington, D.C. Who am I?
a) Tiger Woods
b) Rory McIlroy
c) Tom Kite
d) Bernhard Langer
12. I won the FedEx Cup last year, which amounts to winning the championship of the PGA Tour. Who am I?
a) Davis Love III
b) Billy Horschel
c) Franklin Pierce
d) Jordan Spieth
Final six holes — tougher going home
13. I finished tied for second at last year’s U.S. Open. I have undergone two heart-replacement operations. Who am I?
a) Franklin Pierce
b) Erik Compton
c) Roger Chillingworth
d) Don January
14. Before the Monday playoff in 1971 at Merion Golf Club outside Philadelphia, one competitor pulled a rubber snake out of his golf bag on the first tee and tossed it playfully in the direction of his opponent, who laughed. Who threw the snake and who laughed?
a) Lee Trevino tossed the snake and Jack Nicklaus laughed
b) Old Tom Morris tossed the snake and Young Tom Morris laughed
c) Sam Snead tossed the snake and Ben Hogan laughed
d) George Bayer tossed the snake and Mike Souchak laughed
15. I am the last man to win back-to-back U.S. Opens, in 1988 and 1989. Who am I?
a) Hale Irwin
b) Curtis Strange
c) Fuzzy Zoeller
d) Young Tom Morris
16. Two holes will alternate as par 4s and par 5s at Chambers Bay. These holes are:
a) Nos. 1 and 18
b) Nos. 5 and 12
c) Nos. 17 and 18
d) Nos. 4 and 7
17. The only tree on the Chambers Bay course is behind which par-3 hole?
a) No. 9
b) No. 3
c) No. 15
d) No. 17
18. In 1966, Arnold Palmer blew a 7-stroke lead on the back nine Sunday on the Lake Course at the Olympic Club outside San Francisco and then lost a playoff on Monday to me. Who am I?
a) Tommy Bolt
b) Billy Casper
c) Ed Pepple
d) Jimmy Demaret
Answers
1, B, McNeil Island; 2, A, University Place; 3, D, ban on anchored putting; 4, C, Lindsey Vonn; 5, B, par 70; 6, D, 115th; 7, A, Ben Hogan; 8, C, Jack Nicklaus; 9, C, Phil Mickelson; 10, B, Tiger Woods; 11, B, Rory McIlroy; 12, B, Billy Horschel; 13, B, Erik Compton; 14, A, Lee Trevino threw the snake and Jack Nicklaus laughed; 15, B, Curtis Strange; 16, A, Nos. 1 and 18; 17, C, No. 15; 18, B, Billy Casper.