June 11, 2008 -- Each year, Torrey Pines welcomes the golf world as it hosts one of the most high profile events on the PGA Tour, The Buick Invitational. But this year, it welcomes the world twice, and high profile just went to meteoric profile. The U.S. Open tees off at Torrey Pines this week and PGA Head Professional Joe DeBock tells PGA.com that he, and the golf course, are ready to host the world -- again.

PGA.com: What has the experience been like preparing to host the U.S. Open?

DeBock: It's a bit overwhelming at times. This is the national championship. This is huge. I think a few months ago, I felt a little anxious about the amount of work that was being done, and probably a month or so after the event, I'll look at back and wonder how we got it all done. Right now, we're just running hard and focusing on the task at hand. What's made it a little more of a challenge for us than some of the other venues is that we're still a public, daily-fee course. We've had that business to run right up till now and we'll be back open for play the Tuesday or Wednesday after the championship. So that's been quite the balancing act to say the least.

PGA.com: I would imagine that you typically gear your year around the Buick Invitational. You had to deal with that this year, but I'm sure the U.S. Open was a completely different animal. Could you talk about the differences between the two?

DeBock: As far as that goes, it is a different animal, but we have it down. Every year, we host the Junior Worlds and that is one of the premier junior events in golf. Many of the players that will be playing here in the U.S. Open have played in that event. So we know how to prepare, what it takes. I think there was a time when we geared our entire season towards having the course peak for the Buick Invitational, but that's not the case nowadays. With the added exposure and acclaim we've had recently, we pretty much have to keep the course pristine all year around.

PGA.com: Give me a feel for how excited the San Diego-area is about hosting the U.S. Open. People come out in the thousands for the Buick, but this is a completely different beast.

DeBock: It's been amazing. We have several country clubs and other groups sponsoring holes. We needed 6000 volunteers and I heard those slots filled up faster than any other site has ever done. The media is very excited, local companies are showing great support. And you know, it's not insignificant that we are a public course and so many people have played here. They all feel a sense of connection to this course and thus, this U.S. Open. It's really been incredible.

PGA.com: Much has been made about this being a home-game for both Tiger and Phil. Obviously Tiger has been sidelined because of the knee surgery and will be making his first start since the Masters. Phil on the other hand is playing some great golf coming into the U.S. Open. Both players are multiple winners at Torrey Pines, but to whom do you give the upper hand in the U.S. Open?

DeBock: Both guys have a great history here, both have won here multiple times. They are the two best players in the world on a course they both feel very comfortable on, so it's hard to say. I know Phil has been out here at least four times to practice and see the course within the last few weeks, so if I had to give an edge, I'd have to say to Phil.

PGA.com: What, for you, has been the most rewarding experience in the process of gearing up for the Open?

DeBock: Well, for one of those practice rounds that I just mentioned, Phil Mickelson asked me to join him. Of course, that's a thrill. And he personally calls and lets me know that he's coming out, which is a nice thing for him to do. But I think the most rewarding thing hasn't happened yet. My son has signed up to be a standard bearer during the tournament. He will carry all four days including a late starting time on Sunday. So he is going to be inside the ropes, with one of the leaders, at the U.S. Open. That's going to be a real thrill for me. I'm excited about going out and following him for awhile.

PGA.com: Someone is going to Torrey Pines for the first time to attend the U.S. Open. The crowds are immense. Where do you recommend they set up camp for the day to take in the action?

DeBock: First of all, I'd suggest that people do get out here early. I think that the main trail on the course is pretty evident and that is going to be packed. The areas off the beaten path, around the 12th green -- 13th tee or holes three, four and five should have more opportunity to give you some prime viewing areas without the larger crowds.

PGA.com: What would make for the ideal finish?

DeBock: Well, as brought up earlier, how about the world's no. 1 and no. 2 players, both playing on a course they are very comfortable on, having won here many times, battling for the national championship on Sunday afternoon. Can't get too much better than that, can it?

PGA.com: Can you talk a little about what it means to join Bethpage Black as just the second municipal course in history to host the national championship?

DeBock: I think it's absolutely phenomenal. It's a great way to crown a national champion. I think to some extent, we've probably had more people play here at Torrey Pines, we don't have the seasonal variances they might have at Bethpage, and with the number of people who have played here, watched the Buick Invitational, who feel a close connection with our course, it's really a special moment for us.

PGA.com: You were recently asked to serve on the PGA.com Advisory Board. Isn't that a bigger deal than hosting a U.S. Open?

DeBock: [laughter] I'll just say that they are both a great honor.