Woods makes way for Woodland at Pebble Beach

American Gary Woodland was smiling from ear to ear on Sunday.  He was enjoying every moment of his centre-stage appearance in the 119th US Open (13-16 June).  He had led the tournament from day two and now stood patiently awaiting his turn to tee-off in the last pairing at Pebble Beach Golf Links, California alongside Olympic Golf Champion, Justin Rose from England.  Just one shot separated Woodland in search of his first Major title from Rose, winner of the US Open in 2013.  It was the first time in his career that the 35-year old from Kansas had held the lead after 54 holes in a Major.  Hence, he was ‘Smiling like a Kansas cat’ on the first tee.

 

Rose promptly birdied the opening hole to draw even with Woodland on 11-under par and put pressure on the American.  Defending Champion and World Number One Brooks Koepka got off to a flying start too by one-putting the first five greens to get himself into contention on 11-under.  But the leaders were also eating up the first few holes.  Woodland began par, birdie, birdie, par to get to 13-under.  He looks as steady as a rock.  Could this be the day that he becomes a Major winner?

 

Californian dreaming

 

Everywhere you looked on the stunning Pebble Beach course there was a display of sheer excellence or pure cliff-hanging drama.  Masters Champion Tiger Woods struggled on Sunday making four bogeys in the first six holes which put paid to any remote chance of him adding another much-desired Major title to his collection. On the 8th, Koepka made his first bogey in 36 holes.  Rory McIlroy’s dreams look done and dusted after he got tangled-up in some horrendous rough on the edge of a bunker.  A few holes later the Northern Irish former World Number One came within inches of a hole-in-one at the 102-yard par-three 7th.  Stunning stuff!  Young Norwegian amateur Viktor Hovland played the front-nine in just 31 strokes to equal the lowest nine of the week.  Meanwhile, a red-hot putter was getting the ever-smiley American Matt Kuchar, playing in his 55th Major, into contention.  Who knows he could even walk off with his first Major!

 

Then there was the lovely, oh so beautiful, relaxed swing of former Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen.  The South African was climbing steadily up the leaderboard where he had taken a share of fourth place with Adam Scott (Australia) on 9-under.  Xander Schauffele (USA) was in the mix too on 8-under.

 

Yet there was clearly one player at the top of the leaderboard and that was Gary Woodland on 13-under par.  He didn’t appear to be about to relinquish his lead.  Not to Justin Rose (-11), whose fairway play was good today but whose putts were simply not dropping.  Nor to Brooks Koepka, who, despite playing impeccable golf, was three-shots behind him.  Even after Woodland’s ball found a rather hairy, greenside pot-bunker at the short par-three 7th, the 35-year old rising super star from Kansas splashed out confidently and holed a seven-foot putt to save par and remain two ahead of the chasing pack.

 

Norwegian breaks US Open amateur record

 

Viktor Hovland, the young amateur who is turning pro directly after the US Open, had just finished his round – an incredible 4-under par 67 – for a final tally of 280 (4-under par).  His score is the lowest ever recorded by an Amateur in the US Open.  However, it was early days as another young American amateur, Brandon Wu, was still out on the course with a chance of matching that.

 

And so it was that at 01.15 hours local time in Holland, with the greatest of reluctance, we reached for the remote control and switched off the television.  After four very late nights of golf (or I should say, early mornings), it was time for bed!  The 119th US Open was far too exciting to watch with one eye closed, struggling to stay awake.  Tomorrow was another day.  We vowed not to look at the news or our apps first thing on Monday.  With a bit of luck, we’ll get to see some repeat coverage of the championship on a channel somewhere, so that, fresh and awake, we’ll be able to really enjoy all the thrill and excitement of the final showdown.

 

By the way, one of us is sure that Gary Woodland will win, the other is adamant that Brooks Koepka will be victorious again.  At the same time, we both agree that at the spectacular and challenging Pebble Beach Golf Links anything could happen on the back nine … the suspense is killing!

 

Wendy Hoad

 

 

PICTURED:  American Gary Woodland still leading after 60 holes in the 2019 US Open.