Pinehurst, N.C. – The U.S. Open hardly seems like the place for aging, broken-down golfers to regain their confidence and feel good about their games again.
But there they are. Rocco Mediate. Olin Browne. Brandt Jobe. Steve Jones.
The Rehab Boys topped the leaderboard Thursday after the first round of the 105th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, a punishing test that brought many able-bodied golfers to their knees.
“I like that, the ‘Rehab Boys,’ ” said Jobe, a former Denver-area resident who underwent wrist surgery last summer. “Maybe we’re just excited to be out here.”
Mediate, plagued by back problems for years, and Browne, whose swing became so sick he almost quit the sport 18 months ago, shared the lead at 3-under-par 67. Jobe, battling through brisk winds in the afternoon, shot a 68 for the best round after lunch. Jones, who returned in January from 2003 elbow surgery, is among four players at 69, including Phil Mickelson.
Considering the sun-baked conditions, Tiger Woods was ecstatic over his even-par 70, making the accomplishments of the Rehab Boys even more impressive. Safe landing areas on the crowned greens shrunk as the 90-degree day wore on. Many approach shots missing their target by less than 10 feet bounced hopelessly down the drop-off areas and into the chipping nightmare.
“If you get over par and start shooting for the pins, you get more over par,” said Fred Couples, relieved that his scorecard totaled 71. “I really don’t think you’re going to see any 65s out here.”
Jobe, 39 and still looking for his first PGA Tour victory, was at 4-under until he was derailed by bogeys at 16 and 17. He was the only competitor in the 156-player field to get to 4-under.
Only 16 players survived the 7,214 yards in par or better.
“If you would have told me before I started that I’d finish with a 68, I’d take it,” said Jobe, who grew up playing at Cherry Hills Country Club and starred at Kent Denver High School.
Browne and Mediate hadn’t made headlines in years.
Browne, 46, became so discouraged with his game in early 2004 he considered retiring. Shoulder and elbow problems led to swing faults, and the two-time tour winner lost his full exemption status when he fell to 130th on the money list in 2003.
An invitation by Houston- based swing coach Jim Hardy lifted Browne’s spirits. Browne said it has taken almost a year to revamp his swing, but his rhythm and tempo certainly appeared to be in tune Thursday. Browne hit 11 fairways and 14 greens in regulation. He finished strong, with three birdies after the turn for a back-nine 32.
It was a stunning showing considering a week ago Browne almost didn’t bother finishing his 36-hole U.S. Open qualifying round at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md., after opening with a 73. After being convinced by USGA officials that he still had a chance to secure one of the 22 spots, Browne came back with a 59 that included a birdie-eagle-eagle finish. He needed at least a 61 to stay out of a playoff for the final spots.
That’s a tough act to follow, but Browne shrugged off early bogeys at Nos. 4 and 6 on Thursday and began rolling in putts. He drained a 20-footer from off the green on No. 13, another 20-footer on 14 and an 18-footer on 16.
“I managed to hit enough solid shots to get away with my mistakes,” Browne said.
Mediate, 42, battled back problems throughout 2004, and the five-time PGA Tour winner finished 176th on the money list. Mediate began working with swing coach Jimmy Ballard. Together they developed a swing that reduced torque and relieved pressure on his back.
“Did I expect to shoot 67? I don’t know,” Mediate said. “But I knew it was in there.”
Mediate’s highlights included a 260-yard 3-wood second shot to the green on the 607-yard 10th that set up a 50-foot eagle, and a 6-iron against the wind on 16 that left a 7-foot birdie.
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It’s early in the championship, but everybody shooting around par remained upbeat. The first-round scoring average of 74.699 was the most difficult to date on the 2005 PGA Tour. The 67s by Browne and Mediate are the highest first-round scores to lead a U.S. Open since 2002.
Woods, the tournament favorite, seemed to be right where he wants to be.
“This is a lot more fun,” Woods said. “You shoot a round in the 60s, you’re going to move up on the scoreboard.”
Staff writer Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
