There was a theme that emerged in the media interview room during the post-round interviews over the first few days at this year’s U.S. Open at Torrey Pines:

They like the course and the set-up a lot better than the last few years.

This isn’t saying the course isn’t tough – it is. Take, for example, this comment by Luke Donald:

“The USGA is pretty good at finding tough courses and making them tougher. The course set-up has been very good this year.”

D.J. Trahan, who noted that he is not fond of playing the Buick Open at Torrey Pines each year due to the spongy, wet conditions, is even impressed:

“The course is set up completely differently [for this Open]. I’m enjoying it. I could have shot 10-over and still say that I enjoyed the course.”

Enjoyed a U.S. Open course? Is Trahan serious, or is he masochistic?

Well, he appears to be serious. Consider Davis Love III’s candid comments:

“It’s obviously—I don’t know the right way to put it—it’s more fun to play than the last two years. I think some of our Tour courses recently have been extremely hard, where we’re pushing the limits.”

And finally, from Rocco Mediate, the leader going into the weekend:

“The golf course is holding up beautifully.”

To the ears of a golf writer who has never played a private course, it is music to my ears to hear such good reviews of the municipal Torrey Pines.

Well done, USGA.