According to Jim Furyk, “It’s hard to win any major championship. The amount of press triples, the amount of exposure triples. The amount of pressure we put on ourselves shouldn’t, but it does, triple. Everything about the event just gets bigger and is more intense.”
And somehow, some way, those feelings and emotions get even bigger at the U.S. Open. Here are some of the thoughts of the people involved.
The hopeful
Former Denver area resident Brandt Jobe has yet to win in 220 starts on the PGA Tour. His best finish in the Open was a tie for 33rd last year at Pinehurst.
“Am I ready? Not yet, no, but I’m getting there. I was swinging real good at the Memorial, and was really happy with how my game was going, and then I played Westchester and the wind put me off and I got myself into some bad spots. But it’s better today than it was yesterday. Hopefully I’ll get some confidence back and some trust, because you have to have that on this golf course.
“It’s like anything. Why does the average golfer wake up one day and have the best round of his life, and then he goes to sleep, wakes up the next day and has the worst round of his life? There’s a lot of timing involved for us, too. We try to take that out of it by being more fundamentally sound than the average guy, but it happens to everyone.
“Rarely does anyone go out there and play perfect golf. You go through little battles. Right now I wouldn’t say that this is going to be my week, but you never know. Even though this is a major and everything, if I can get my ball striking on, if I’m hitting it good, I think I can be right there with most of the guys. But patient doesn’t even describe what you have to be like out here.”
The native son
Considered by many as the world’s best coach, Butch Harmon grew up around Winged Foot Golf Club and has eight of his pupils playing in the Open.
“Obviously, for me, this week is just joyful. I’ve been looking forward to this ever since the USGA announced the Open was coming here. Growing up and spending most of my life here, with my dad the pro here for 35 years, being a member here forever, this is a great place. It’s all golf, everything about it is golf. I just hope the weather stays great so we can see the course at its best.
“Whoever wins this tournament is definitely going to be the best player this week. I’ve told my guys the little nuances of the course, lines off of the tees, things to aim at, the numerous putts on the greens that go in the opposite direction from how they look. But anyone who does their homework and practice will find those things out. I’ve told them all the little secrets that I know.”
The former champion
Lee Janzen won the Open in 1993 and 1998. He’s one of just 24 players to win two Opens. But, he hasn’t won on the PGA Tour since his second Open triumph, at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
“Of all the two-time Open champions, I’d bet I think about them the least. To me, it’s just a worldly accomplishment, and in the end it won’t matter.
“Growing up I just wanted to be the best I could be. For those two tournaments I played great golf, beating world-class fields on world-class courses. That was a dream, no doubt, but I guess I just don’t think about it a whole lot. When I go to the range today, I’m working on making my follow through, my impact position better, not, ‘How is a U.S. Open winner supposed to hit it?’
“I enjoyed it when it happened, but I’m trying to look forward. Right now, winning anything is my top priority. I know there’s a certain level I can play at, contending and winning in majors. I know it’s possible, but my game is not right there right now.”
The defending champ
After years of flashing great potential, Michael Campbell finally broke through to win last year’s Open.
“In a nutshell, really, it’s just been a wonderful journey the last 12 months. I’ve experienced many opportunities, a lot of doors have opened for me. I’ve fulfilled one of my childhood dreams and hopefully can retain my title this week.
“I would say I’ve been dreaming to win a major tournament since I was 11 years old so when it becomes reality, it’s not a shock, it’s like, ‘OK, dreams do come true.’
“Then all of a sudden I got given responsibilities of certain things back home. What I say really matters now back home in New Zealand, my opinion matters. Which is really quite scary sometimes if you say the wrong thing at the wrong time.”
The qualifier
Dustin White, 25, of Pueblo was the lone qualifier from the June 5 sectional at Columbine Country Club.
“This has just been incredible. It’s like something that you dream about as a kid, just having the chance to rub shoulders with these guys.
“I played nine holes on Sunday, 18 on Monday and Tuesday and another nine on Wednesday. I think I’ve taken good notes and have a sense of what’s going on here. It’s definitely a major championship course. It’s demanding off the tee both in terms of length and accuracy. It’s exactly what you would expect for a U.S. Open.
“I played with (1996 champion) Steve Jones on Monday. I haven’t had the chance to play with any of the other big names, but I’ve seen many of them out on the driving range. It’s so cool to be here in front of all these people. I’m just trying to soak it all in. I could definitely get used to this, the courses these guys play, the practice facilities; you couldn’t ask for anything more. It’s no wonder they’re so good. You play these courses and when you practice, you’re on facilities where you can hit any kind of shot you want.
“I have expectations for the week. I’d like to be around for all four days. I think all the parts of my game are coming around. If it makes sense, I have expectations but when I’m out there I don’t want to expect too much, I just want to enjoy the experience.”
