U.S., Women’s opens both at Pinehurst in ’14

This might be as close as golf gets to a doubleheader.

The United States Golf Assn. said Monday that the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open will be held over consecutive weeks in 2014 at Pinehurst No. 2, the first time in golf that women have a chance to share the stage with the men.

“It’s a big opportunity,” said USGA Executive Director David Fay. “I really do think this will generate some buzz for women’s golf and the Women’s Open. And I think a lot of people will take advantage.”

The U.S. Open already was scheduled to return to Pinehurst in 2014 for the third time in 15 years. The Women’s Open has been held three times at nearby Pine Needles since 1996 but never at the fabled No. 2 course at Pinehurst.

Fay said Pinehurst No. 2 would be a perfect fit for this doubleheader, mainly because there is no rough around the turtleback greens that Donald Ross designed. He said the greens would be slightly softer, and the course would play shorter for the women.

“It seems like a good move,” David Duval said. “The course is already set up and ready to play. And their tee boxes will be that much more pristine.”

Holding successive championships on the same course should save time and money. The USGA already will have tents in place for corporate hospitality, concessions and the media. The ropes already will line the fairway. And there will be no need to tear down, transport and rebuild grandstands and scoreboards.

The U.S. Women’s Open is the one tournament where women can arrive early to prepare over the weekend. That won’t work at Pinehurst in 2014 with the men competing for a major.

And if there’s an 18-hole playoff Monday? The women might not be able to play a full practice round until Tuesday.