U.S. Open Media Day: Jordan Spieth Never Mentioned Once!?

Usually the defending champion appears, calls in by phone, sends flowers or somehow feigns interest in the United States Open media day. But with Jordan Spieth passing on commemorating his 2015 U.S. Open win, his name was curiously never brought up in 2016's 10,700 word edition.

I won't take you through too much of the transcript as it's mostly thank you's or applause mentions. And it's never ideal when a non-Tim Finchem transcript takes 6700 words to get to the first question. Besides, Ryan Herrington was there and has five key takeaways heading into this year's U.S. Open worth noting.

But it is pretty great when No. 2 man Mike Butz is referred in the transcript to Mike Butts, or this:

late 1800s, Myopia Hung Club, it's been a tough test from day one.

Yes it is when you put it that way!

In lieu of the defending champ, the USGA wheeled out Pennsylvania amateur greats Nathan Smith and Carole Semple Thompson, bookended by USGA President Diana Murphy and USGA "Executive Director and CEO" Mike Davis sporting his new title.

Eloquent stuff from the President here:

We also like to think that our championships and particularly the U.S. Open, makes history every year we hold it.

Well, there was that 96 Open at Oakland Hills, but go on...

  And we thought it might be fun to start this program this morning with a very brief video of some of the historic moment that is we may all remember around the U.S. Open.

    (Video played.)

DIANA MURPHY:  Gives you a little bit of chills.  It is the greatest game.  We certainly believe that and we think it is the greatest championship in the U.S. Open.

(Applause)!

As for the historic golf course, it sounds like some fairways are cut into the bunkers and otherwise, according to the CEO who regaled the crowd with the club's history, nothing is much different setup-wise from 2007:

For the 10,000, roughly 10,000 players that are going to try to qualify for this championship, what are they going to expect in terms of golf course setup in June?  What's interesting is, a lot of sameness.  And I say that because from 2007 we are playing it the same yardage.  Every hole is exactly the same yardage as 2007.

The same fairway widths and contours as we played in 2007.  In fact, these are the same fairway widths and contours the members here at Oakmont have been playing for years and years.  They're the same grass heights from 2007.  The same green speeds as 2007.  The same general hole locations as 2007.  Same bunkering and the same wonderful course conditioning that John Zimmers and his staff have done.

There was a Fox question and of course, it provided much needed comic relief:

Q.  Mike, a year now in with Fox Sports, what are your thoughts about Fox as a partner and presenting the U.S. Open and all of your USGA championships.

DIANA MURPHY:  Let me comment on that.  Thank you for the question. 

Reports confirm Mike was not treated for any bruises obtained as the President dove for the microphone. Go on...

We're delighted to have Fox as our partner.  We have really had a wonderful experience with them in year one, recognizing it was their first year, and I know how excited they are to get out there beginning next month with our Four‑Ball at Winged Foot and I think many of them are on the course today having a great time with the course and playing it and also doing some video.

But I think that their innovation, their technology, their enthusiasm and energy and bringing golf to the world has been remarkable.  And we're looking forward to continuing that partnership nor many years.

Remarkable!

ADAM BARR:  I want to take just one more and then leave time for everyone to have lunch and get ready for golf.  Over here.

Rally killer!

Then it was time to wrap up...

ADAM BARR:  Couple of quick housekeeping items and then on to the fun.  Usopen.com, the home for all things U.S. Open information and coverage is live today.  So use it.  A lot of great information on there.  We hope it will help you with your coverage.  Photos with the U.S. Open trophy and interviews with our speakers today and other USGA representatives and Oakmont people are also available now.  See a communications staffer for help.

A transcript of today's program will be available a little bit later this afternoon.
   
And please see a member of the compromised staff if you have any questions about media service or operations at the U.S. Open proper.

The compromised staff. I can't keep up with this corporatespeak!

Oh, and a note to your moochers who showed up for your free golf today...

Now, golf is set for 1:30 shotgun and Oakmont sets the gold standard in a lot of things, including pace of play.  It does not take that long to four‑putt.  So, please, move it along.

And I will remind all of you in the afternoon wave, that caddie fees are covered, but caddie tips are not.  So, tip your caddies, they are the very best in the business here at Oakmont.  If you have ever played here, you know exactly what I mean.

Ben Roethlisberger and Jerome Bettis were on hand to play, as was the Fox broadcast team. All can be seen in this photo gallery.

And this video interview with Ben and Jerome covers their green fee.