Video: Pinehurst No. 2's Fifth Hole

One of the more extraordinary holes on the planet has been changed for the 2014 U.S. Open, though mercifully the epic second shot is fully intact. Instead, the fifth hole is returning to its par-5 roots and now playing a healthy 576 yards for the men from a new tee constructed close to the old Hall of Fame building. (503 for the women.)

I'm not wild about the new tee. Not due to the added yardage, but because of a centered placement bringing overhanging pines into play, the tee seems designed to force a straight ball flight. Just ten paces to the left would have allowed righthanders to hit a nice draw to fit the shape of the hole (or a hard cut for Bubba and Phil). I'm not sure who made this call, but I'm going to label it file #45601 in my collection of Things We Do In Golf To Not Have To Roll Back The Ball.

A view from the tee:

That said, most of the field should have a go at this demanding and artistically perfect green complex, and that should make for some very satisfying viewing come U.S. Open week at Pinehurst.

The USGA flyover: