'Chambers Bay one of the worst golf courses I’ve ever seen’ - Gary Player slams US Open venue

Gary Player has blasted the USGA for bringing the US Open to the quirky links-style Chambers Bay course, saying many of the players are happy to shake the sand off their shoes and head home after missing the cut.

The South African great pulled no punches in an interview with the Golf Channel as the nine-time major winner described Chambers Bay at University Place in Washington as “one of the worst golf courses I’ve ever seen”.

“I’ll tell you what – there have never been so many people to miss the cut that are so happy to go home,” said the former US Open champion who now works as a golf course designer and consultant.

“This has been the most unpleasant golf tournament I’ve seen in my life. I mean the man who designed this golf course had to have one leg shorter than the other.”

Player said the Chambers Bay course, carved out of a hill overlooking the scenic Puget Sound, has too many gimmicky greens, dramatic elevation changes and slippery fescue slopes that have taken its toll on the caddies and spectators.

“This is devastating. To see a man miss the green by one yard and end up 50 yards down there, caddies falling and hurting their ankles and knees, players falling. This is terrible,” he said.

“You go to Augusta, they’ve got undulating greens, but they’re playable. Did you see how these pros were three-putting yesterday one after the other?

“It’s unbelievable seeing a man have a putt from 20 feet and he’s hitting it 20 feet to the right.”