News
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Looking For His Fairy Tale Finish
By Dave Shedloski
Farmingdale, N.Y. – If former U.S. Amateur champion Ricky Barnes should hang on to win the 109th U.S. Open Monday at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course, there’s little doubt it would generate a dichotomy of sentiment and assessment.
It certainly would be a surprise, given that the PGA Tour rookie has never led a Tour event after 54 holes – indeed, he has only been within 10 shots of the lead on three occasions – and has led a Nationwide Tour event through three rounds only once. Then again, the 28-year-old California native did win the 2002 U.S. Amateur, beating Hunter Mahan in the final at Oakland Hills Country Club in Birmingham, Mich., and he did finish as low amateur (T-21) at the 2003 Masters Tournament.
So is the former All-American from the University of Arizona, who entered the final round Sunday evening with a one-stroke lead over Lucas Glover, a Cinderella story or not?
Yes. But no.
“You know, it happens, people win their first golf tournament as majors, it happens,” said former British Open winner David Duval, who was tied for third with England’s Ross Fisher, five behind Barnes, after three rounds. “It doesn't happen a lot, but it sure happens. I don't know if anybody should be shocked if it does, but you know, winning's winning. Got to figure it out.”
As the third round wound down at Bethpage Black, there was no shortage of competitors who figured that Barnes, who led by as many as six strokes midway through the third round, was capable of closing the deal as he began the final round at 8-under 202 after a 70.
“I knew he's been playing on Nationwide, grinding away, trying to get back on Tour,” Mahan said. “He's got a very talented, strong, really strong swing and a very good short game. … So I think he's a solid player; just needs to get a little more momentum.”
Jim Furyk, a fellow Arizona alum, said Barnes is all about momentum. “There’s a load of talent there, but he’s got a game that makes him very streaky,” said the 2003 U.S. Open winner. “I’ve known Ricky a long time. He’s a player in the mold of most young players today – hit it a mile and go find it. When he puts it all together he’s dangerous, and, obviously, that’s what he’s doing right now.”
Barnes made his U.S. Open debut in 2000 after getting through local and sectional qualifying, and when he followed up his ’02 Amateur victory with a strong Masters performance, he appeared to be on the fast track to a solid pro career.
Instead, he found there was a steeper learning curve than he anticipated, and Barnes is only now fulfilling his promise.
“I think it's just like anything, sometimes it's a little bit more difficult to get out here than people think,” said Tiger Woods, the defending U.S. Open champion who began the final round nine strokes behind Barnes. “You can hit it far, you can hit it long, you can do all these different things, but you've got to be so consistent day‑in and day‑out. He's changed his game and (that’s) one of the reasons why I think you've seen him score much better now. He earned his way out here on Tour, and he's certainly developed a lot as a player.”
“I played junior golf against him, and I saw a player with a lot of talent, someone who I thought would have been out here long before now,” said Sean O’Hair, a winner of last month's Quail Hollow Championship whose third-round 71 left him tied for eighth at 1-under 209, seven behind Barnes. “He’s a good player. He’s showing everyone how well he can play – he’s not playing like the 500th-ranked player in the world, or wherever he is.”
Actually, Barnes, bidding to become the first player since Jerry Pate in 1976 to make the U.S. Open his first professional win, is ranked 517th in the Official World Golf Ranking. By way of comparison, Ben Curtis was universally considered a true surprise winner when he won the 2003 British Open at Royal St. George’s, England, as the 396th-ranked player in the world.
“People weren’t sure what to think of me winning the Open Championship, but I had confidence in what I was doing, and I’m sure Ricky has confidence in what he’s doing this week. It’s obvious that he’s playing well,” Curtis said. “I don’t know Ricky; I played amateur golf against his brother [Andy, who is Ricky’s caddie this week]. The bottom line is that he is doing what it takes. He’s put himself in position. Win or lose, that’s not a fluke in a major championship.”
Dave Shedloski is a freelance writer whose work has previously appeared on www.usopen.com.
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