Despite this year marking the first time the U.S. Open will be brought to the Pacific Northwest, Ryan Moore will feel right at home when he takes to the first tee at Chambers Bay.
The Seattle-area native has a fair bit of experience at the site of this year's U.S. Open, but you can bet that the advice he'll be offering his fellow competitors will fall more along the lines of hotels and restaurants rather than club selections and green-reading.
"There's a nice waterfall close by in Tacoma" Moore jokingly told Golf Magazine reporter Connell Barrett, "There's some really good Thai food in the area and some really good tarakihi."
But course knowledge might only be half the battle come U.S. Open week, and even though Moore has played Chambers Bay "about a dozen times," he conceded that even for him the course will still be a bit of an unknown due to the time of year the tournament is set to take place.
"The middle of June is not necessarily a nice time in Seattle" Moore told Barrett. "That doesn't mean that it can't be nice in the middle of June, it can. But most likely it will hover around 55, 60 degrees, overcast, with some rain that week -- and potentially some wind, because you're right on the water."
But despite the various question marks surrounding Chambers Bay and its playability, Moore looks forward to playing in the comfort of his hometown.
"There are some butterflies, but it's more excitement than anything." Moore said, "It's not pressure, other than it being a U.S. Open. ... But I'll feel very comfortable. And I'll get to sleep in my own house."
There will be no shortage of Moore supporters in attendance during tournament week either.
"You don't get to play a tournament in your backyard very often. ... But this is special. It's a U.S. Open. To have a major come to an area where I grew up, am comfortable with, and know a ton of people -- it'll be fun. Very, very fun."
So with all the talk about McIlroy, Spieth, Woods, and Mickelson, Moore has the competition right where he wants them, and don't be surprised if you see this hometown boy make a run for the trophy come the evening of June 22.
