Fear rules U.S. Open

Greetings from the U.S. Open here in Mamaroneck, N.Y. _ a 45-minute, $50-cab ride from New York City. This well-heeled, swishy suburb in Westchester County is the land of the Stepford Wives whose husbands struck it rich in the boom 1990s stock market. The host Winged Foot Golf Club is no Bushwood of “Caddyshack’’ fame, either, that’s for sure.

However, many of the rich around here would likely trade a good chunk of their wealth for the golf games possessed by the 156 players vying to win golf’s toughest championship. And Winged Foot matches the area’s lush, expansive homes with its own classic beauty. But like the multi-million price tags for these homes, Winged Foot can be plenty mean. Think of a bikini-clad Jessica Simpson _ holding a machine gun.

Just as unsettling as that image might be, that’s what the U.S. Open is for the players. Though no one will admit it, the theme for many this week is fear. Fear of being embarrassed by another wicked USGA setup. The best players in the world have shot in the 80s on Sunday the last two years _ including supposedly unflappable, two-time Open champions Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Oh, it’s never their fault, mind you. The greens were too hard, fast, etc. The rough was too high. The holes are too long. Blah, blah, blah.

This tournament is great because for just one week _ the Tigers, Phils, Vijays and others _ play scared. Just like some 15-handicapper trying to break 90 with a par on a long, par-4 over water on the final hole.

So starting Thursday, ignore the whining and enjoy the fear. This is how the rest of us play golf.