CHASKA, Minn. — With a fifth-place finish at the U.S. Open already on his 2009 record, Ross Fisher isn’t a stranger to the top of the scoreboard. He was tied with Tiger Woods briefly Friday afternoon before faltering and bogeying his last two holes.
Fisher finished in the five-way tie for second place, at 3-under-par 141. He didn’t hesitate to acknowledge watching the standings as he walked the course Friday afternoon.
“It kind of inspires you. I can get a real kick out of it, seeing my name up there,” said Fisher, who tied for 13th place in his homeland at the British Open. “I want to see it gradually creep up towards the top. I managed to do that, but unfortunately two slip-ups kind of cost me.”
Success story.
The PGA of America, which stages the event, prides itself on allowing club pros to qualify, and it serves as their marquee event.
The man who stole the show this year: Grant Sturgeon, an assistant pro at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club, who is at even par through two rounds.
“I never played a golf course setup that’s this tough, that’s this challenging, and never played in front of this many people,” Sturgeon said. “Never played against the best in the world.”
Sturgeon’s week started with a missed 3-foot putt — and a bogey — on his first hole. But he backed that up with 17 consecutive pars, then shot a 1-under 71 in Friday’s second round.
Short stick for Singh.
Vijay Singh has switched to a short putter this week, yet another change to his greens game about which he joked he could write a book.
He’s usually not confident enough to bring it on the course, preferring to work with it at home, but he decided to do so this week at Hazeltine.
As for the long putter?
“It’s in the locker. It’s not too far away,” Singh said.
