Why do we love the U.S. Open so much? I have a theory, so let me bounce it off you like a wayward ProV1 hitting the cart path.

Although patriotic pride certainly fuels the passion for the U.S. Open, the ever-shifting location for the venue gives each year a distinct identity, and there's always the chance of some random qualifier going low and writing his own Tin Cup sequel. … This is not why we all tune in. We watch because it's our one chance each year to watch the best golfers in the world look like the rest of us; the weekend hackers, mid-to-low handicappers and muni-course hustlers. It's basically the same reason we watch so-called "celebrity reality" TV. It offers us the chance to see that although our bank balances might not resemble theirs, our trials and tribulations aren't all that different.

The USGA takes great tracks and turns up the volume on them until the pros have to actually think their way around the layout and take their medicine when they miss, just as the rest of us do on our home courses. And that's where real golf and fantasy golf depart. They can't always go for birdies... MORE