Congressional Gets Its "Reputation Back" With A Par-Fest!?

I know that Justin Rose was trying to be nice and make the (apparently insecure) members of Congressional feel better, but his post-round remark is ultimately an unintended slap at Rory McIlroy's resounding U.S. Open victory at the Blue Course in 2011. And also a bit of outdated thinking that a great test is one that rewards the least accident-prone driver. Naturally, Thomas Boswell lapped it all up, even bringing out the "defenseless" word to describe the U.S. Open at Congressional.

From Doug Ferguson's game story on Rose's fortunate win at Congressional after playing a careless shot at the 18th, only to be Sean Stefani in a sudden-death playoff after Stefani played the same carless shot.

"Congressional got its reputation back after the U.S. Open," Rose said. "I really enjoy this type of golf and this type of test. I think it tested all of us. I'm delighted."

Rose and Stefani each closed with a 1-under 70 -- only six players broke par in the final round -- and finished at 4-under 280.

Ferguson also noted the oddity of the winning score coming in higher than the 36-hole lead.

Only six players broke par in the final round. And it was only the second time this year that the winning score was higher than the 36-hole lead (6 under).

Barry Svrluga explained how both playoff participants faced the same tempting decision and succumbed to the temptation to go for Congressional's 18th green when a lay-up would have done the trick.

I know this is the kind of "test" people like because it makes them feel better about their lousy games. Lots of rough, lots of chipping out, lots of reward for driving down an imaginary center line that even PGA Tour pros can't handle. It bores me to death. For the same reason that Pinehurst's more complete exam offended people because it wasn't an old style "test" I'll never be able to grasp the pleasure taken from a cynical par-fest.

For those who get their jollies watching PGA Tour pros hack out of rough and play a game with which we are too familiar, John Strege offers this:

Even the tournament host, Tiger Woods, who missed the cut in his return to competitive golf, though he apparently avoided injury. That in itself was an achievement with rough so thick that “if we played it every week you’d see more wrist injuries,” defending champion Bill Haas said.

Only six of the 75 players broke par in the final round and only two scored in the 60s, but everyone, ultimately, was a victim of Congressional mettle.

And a Freddie Jacobsen Vine for the rough hacking brigade:

The highlights. Or are they lowlights interspersed with fortunate?