In the non Brooks Koepka going back-to-back division, the two lasting images from the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock involve guys who finished at eight over and 16 over, respectively. The first being Zach Johnson, the second being Phil Mickelson.
Eight years later, we’re still thinking about both moments, Johnson for his infamous “lost the golf course” quote, Mickelson for hitting a ball in motion. Of course, Mickelson is front of mind for other reasons, too.
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As for Johnson, his quote came to mind during Matt Fitzpatrick’s Monday press conference at Shinnecock, where the wind was already pumping so hard that guys were strategically skipping practice rounds. Fitzpatrick, fresh off a runner-up finish in Canada, would have preferred a calmer, easier start to the week. But he practiced through it anyway.
That said, the 2022 U.S. Open champion said he hopes it gets as dry as firm as possible, which was the case in 2018 when he tied for 12th, oddly enough, with Russell Knox and Zach Johnson. The harder, the better he likes his chances.
“I think the biggest thing for me is that I like — I don’t particularly like playing birdie-fests,” said Fitzpatrick. “I don’t think it’s as enjoyable as having to — take today on the 11th hole, for example, the wind is pumping in off the left, and I’ve chipped a 5-iron in there. If there’s no wind there, you might be hitting 9-iron or whatever.”
Fitzpatrick was quick to point out he felt the same way in 2018. Not everyone else did, evidently.
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“To me, I feel like it’s more of a test of controlling your ball if it is windy, if it is firm,” he said. “If it’s firm — I said it here last time. Obviously there was a big — what’s the right word — meltdown of, oh, they’ve lost the golf course, they’ve lost the golf course.
“I never believed they lost it. I don’t think they lost the golf course at all here. I think, for me, it was difficult, and the strength of this golf course is greens and the difficulty of the greens.”
While it’s unlikely the USGA lets it get out of hand again this year—Fitzpatrick said he was disappointed to see the grounds crew watering the greens on Monday—it’ll still be as stiff a test as ever with the wind. Some rain is expected Thursday, but wind and sun are forecasted the rest of the week.
Let there be crisp, says the Englishman.
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“I think that for me, this golf course, I think when it is really tough like that, I enjoy that challenge because you have to do your homework, and you have to hit good shots, and that’s what I think any good golf tournament should require.”
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