TRACKING KYLE STANLEY AT THE U.S. OPEN
This week: The 112th U.S. Open, today through Sunday, the Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco.
World ranking: 56th.
2012 earnings: $2.02 million (16th on the PGA Tour).
Best U.S. Open finish: 53rd in 2009 at Bethpage Black (13-over 293).
Best finish at a major championship: Tied for 44th at the 2011 British Open (11-over 291).
Stanley’s favorites at THE Olympic Club: “I like the back nine a lot – it kind of sets up well to my eye. You have to go (to) a lot of right-to-left (shots) … on the holes, and that is the direction the wind goes as well. It is a comfortable nine (holes) for me.”
Stanley will be in contention if … : After missing four cuts in a row for the first time as a professional before finishing tied for 49th at last week’s FedEx St. Jude Classic, he does not come in with a lot of momentum or high outside expectations. Contending might be asking a lot.
Outlook: Stanley is restructuring his approach – his practice habits, his routine. It is all designed to retrace his steps and get back to the winner’s circle. Late Tuesday afternoon, after playing a practice round with PGA Tour veteran Joe Ogilvie, Stanley said he felt his old, “A” game form. It has added spring to his step heading into today’s first round. Making the cut would be a good block on which to build the rest of his summer.
Tee time: 7:59 a.m. with Jonathan Byrd and amateur Patrick Cantlay.
The News Tribune pick: The winner must hit the most greens in regulation (at least 16 of 18 per round). The putting surfaces consist of different grasses now – bent to poa annua – which means they will be firmer and faster, but putts will stay on a truer line. That is where American Steve Stricker has the advantage on virtually the rest of the field. He will emerge with his first major championship.
todd.milles@thenewstribune.com
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