BETHESDA, — We’re a nation of 26.1 million golfers, more than the population of Australia.
Our national championship just concluded, and the top performers from the Home of the Brave were a man who uses a putter that looks as tall as a hammer and a guy who entered the week ranked 220th in the world.
Robert Garrigus and Kevin Chappell.
They managed to tie for third at 6 under par, a nice accomplishment but 10 shots behind Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. Americans’ losing streak in majors has now reached five, an all-time high.
America’s Got Talent? If it’s a reality show, it does not involve drivers and putters.
Tiger Woods is MIA. Phil Mickelson tied for 54th and has no clue why he struggled, saying, “I’m not sure if I have a great answer for you right now.”
Steve Stricker and Bo Van Pelt exited stage left after bad starts. Zach Johnson and Matt Kuchar faded. Bubba Watson melted down after a bogey-bogey-bogey finish Thursday. Does Anthony Kim still play golf?
If this keeps up, Davis Love III, who tied for 11th, just might have to use a Ryder Cup captain’s pick on himself.
“I don’t think the state of American golf is where everyone expects it to be,” Chappell said, “but I think it’s definitely going to go in the right direction.”
Not that Chappell is obscure or anything, but the USGA misspelled his name on his Sunday quote sheet. Twice. It was recorded as “Chapel.”
For the record, he’s 24, helped UCLA win the 2008 NCAA championship and, entering the U.S. Open, had only one top-30 finish in 15 PGA Tour events this season.
What should America know about him?
“I’m just someone that likes to have some fun,” he replied. “I really enjoy my downtime.”
And what does he do during his downtime?
“Nothing,” he replied with a grin. “Nothing better than a good movie, a beer, hanging out with your loved ones.”
Garrigus, meanwhile, let out a huge cheer Sunday when he saved par on No. 18 with a 14-foot putt, saying, “That was awesome.”
The gregarious Garrigus has reason to celebrate considering he beat drug addiction in 2003 with a 45-day rehab stint and has the courage to talk about it.
The Idaho native is long off the tee and uses a 28½-inch putter that helps him keep his eyes over the ball.
Garrigus, 33, made five back-nine birdies Sunday and attributed his run to a fresh pair of socks. He needed them after splashing out from the water on the sixth hole.
Had someone told him before the tournament that he’d play four sub-71 rounds at Congressional, Garrigus joked: “I might have slapped (him) in the face.”
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