American drought continues with majors
Kevin Chappell plays a bunker shot on the second hole during the third round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club. (June 18, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
BETHESDA, Md. -- It is not likely that many people picked Kevin Chappell in their U.S. Open pools. The 24-year-old from UCLA is in his first year on the PGA Tour and has not done much out there except for a tie for second at the Valero Texas Open. So it was a surprise to everyone but him that he was tied for low American at the U.S. Open.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could win the golf tournament," he said after shooting 32 on the back nine Sunday, finishing a 5-under-par 66 and completing the Open tied for third at 6 under. He and fellow PGA Tour pro Robert Garrigus were tied for best score by an American.
That is good for those two players, but it does not speak much for U.S. golf that bigger names failed to get into contention. Americans have been shut out in five majors in a row, the longest drought since 1911. In other words, there never has been a streak like this since the Masters started in 1934, setting up the current rotation of major championships.
"I don't think the state of American golf is where everyone expects it to be," Chappell said. "But I think it shows that someone like myself can play out here, and I think it's definitely going to end up going in the right direction here sometime soon." By finishing so high, he qualified for the 2011 Masters.
Garrigus was just thrilled to learn he had qualified for the Masters and to be congratulated by his son, walking off the 18th green on Father's Day. "That was one of the things I'll never forget," he said. "It's better than any drug you could ever take. You can't buy it, you can't bottle it, and man, it was a lot of fun today."
Cantlay, at par, low amateur
Patrick Cantlay, a UCLA freshman, was the low amateur, finishing at par. Had his bunker shot on 18 gone in the cup, he would have been the first amateur since Jack Nicklaus in 1960 to finish the Open under par. As he walked off No. 18, he was given a raucous ovation. When he was asked if he felt like a rock star, he said, "Yeah, a little bit. I don't know what a rock star really feels like."
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