A look at the U.S. Open

No. 5: par 4, 498 yards

No. 6: par 4, 489 yards

No. 7: par 4, 288 yards

No. 8: par 3, 200 yards

No. 9: par 4, 449 yards

Out: par 34, 3,557 yards

No. 10: par 4, 424 yards

No. 11: par 4, 430 yards

No. 12: par 4, 451 yards

No. 13: par 3, 199 yards

No. 14: par 4, 419 yards

No. 15: par 3, 154 yards

No. 16: par 5, 670 yards

No. 17: par 5, 522 yards

No. 18: par 4, 344 yards

In: par 36, 3,613 yards

Total: par 70, 7,170 yards

The opening hole used to play as a par 5. Even though the approach is downhill, it's still a heckuva way to get started. Now the only par 5s are 16 and 17. The 16th is the longest hole in U.S. Open history. The 17th, where the green slopes severely from left to right and back to front, was a par 4.

At least the closing hole is the shortest par 4 on the layout. But it's uphill to a small green that slopes from back to front and happens to be surrounded by severe rough.

Hey, there's a reason why Ben Hogan called it one of the toughest courses he's ever played. And the word is the setup is even tougher than 14 years ago, when 280 won. Several fairways also have unique slopes, which puts a premium on working the ball into the right spot off the tee. And the removal of some trees, given its location near the Pacific Ocean, has created more effect from the wind. Just what these guys needed to hear.

In other words, it tends to play a lot longer than the yardage would indicate. Then again, this is the U.S. Open. So it's supposed to, just because. Fair often has little to do with identifying your ultimate survivor. That's another tradition unlike any other.

TV coverage

Thursday and Friday: ESPN, noon-3 p.m.; NBC, 3-5; ESPN, 5-10.

Saturday and Sunday: NBC, 4-10.

Monday (if a playoff is necessary): ESPN, noon-2 p.m.; NBC, 2-conclusion.

Future venues

2013: Merion Golf Club (East), Ardmore

2014: Pinehurst Resort No. 2, Pinehurst. N.C.

2015: Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash.

2016: Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa.

2017: Erin Hills, Erin, Wis.

2018: Shinnecock Hills, Southampton, N.Y.

2019: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif.

Remaining 2012 majors

British Open: July 19-22, Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Lancashire, England.

PGA Championship: Aug. 9-12, Kiawah Island (Ocean Course), Kiawah Island, S.C.

Ryder Cup: Sept. 28-30, Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Ill.

— Mike Kern