Why public courses are such a hit with fans

NOBODY knows better than Tiger Woods why US Opens played on public courses resonate with the crowds that flock to see them.

As a kid in Los Angeles the future world number one and 14-time major winner would hustle grown-ups in putting contests at his local municipal track to win quarters to pay his green fees and the young prodigy was given his first taste of a championship golf course on the municipally-owned Torrey Pines in southern California.

Woods, 33, played three Junior World Championships at Torrey between the ages of 15 and 17 and he would return there as a professional to win six PGA Tour events.