Anybody who's looked at my score history knows that I practically live at St A, so I figured it's about time I left my comfort zone. Have played Oakmont a few times in the past at various tiers and I think my previous best score from the tips was a 66. The greens have always given me fits, especially at tournament speed.
Just gave it a shot as a TL putting on championship greens and somehow carved out a 62 (30/32). I know the really good players probably routinely shoot in the 50s there but 8 under on that bear of a course was a milestone for me. The round consisted of 8 pars, 9 birds, one bogey.
Was especially pleased with a par on #9...drove into a 13 mph headwind then plopped a 4-iron into the bunker. From there punched a 64° wedge to within a foot and made the par. Also had fun with the 299 yd par 3. Had an 8 mph crosswind and hit the R11s driver with full backspin to within 5 ft for birdie. Got around with 27 putts which included one 3-putt.
But aside from obviously and unabashedly fishing for compliments, the point of this post is to offer a paean to arguably the most difficult and most beautiful course on wgt.
Of course the same could be said for Olympic, a course I haven't played much at all except for a few times when it was just ctth. I'm sure Oly will ream me out pretty good while I try to learn how to play it.
I think I'll email Johnny Miller and tell him I beat him by a stroke.
;-)