, which is also housed at the university.

When the course opened in 1904 it measured 6,406 yards and was par-80. This week it is stretched to 7,372 yards and the par score is 70.Dubbed "Soakmont" when it last staged the US Open, heavy rainfall softened fairways and greens, Dustin Johnson's winning score was still only four under, admittedly including a controversial penalty for unintentionally moving his ball on the fifth hole of the final round.

Joint runners up Shane Lowry, Jim Furyk and Scott Piercy, who were three shots behind, were the only other players to beat par.When Angel Cabrera won in 2007, the course was fast and firm and the Argentine was the only contender to break 70 on the final day. His 69 was enough to finish five over for a one-shot win over Furyk and Tiger Woods.This time we can anticipate a similar scenario to the one that yielded Johnson's first major nine years ago because the Pittsburgh area has suffered its wettest spring on record.

The greens will still be very quick but perhaps more likely to hold approach shots than they were in 2007. But the five-inch deep rough will be damp, lush and brutal.And unlike most recent US Open venues it will not be 'graduated' with shorter grass nearer the immaculate fairways. It will be short grass and then long grass with nothing in between - classically uncompromising in the finest Oakmont tradition.

The bunkers are not designed to be a bail out. The sand is unsympathetic and forms a genuine hazard, as do strategic ditches that criss-cross the layout.

Between the third and fourth fairways lies the famous 'Church Pews' bunker, more than 100 yards long and up to 43 yards wide with a dozen turf islands (the pews) striped across to punish wayward tee shots.in the wake of attacks on children in Southport, Merseyside.

The force confirmed the deployment, but declined to comment further.Mutual aid agreements are uncommon and are generally "incident based," according to the National Police Chiefs' Council.

ACC Henderson said: "As part of my forward planning I have now activated the request for mutual aid resources from policing colleagues in Great Britain to ensure we have the necessary support to maintain public order and bring offenders to justice in the days to come."Protesters in Ballymena have