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Buick starts with Open still on some minds Associated Press June 23 4:26pm ET | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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HARRISON, N.Y. -- The course at the Buick Open is similar to
last week's layout at the U.S. Open. But the favorites in this
tournament hope the results aren't the same.
David Duval was "bewildered" by his 75s Saturday and Sunday that dropped him from the lead to a seventh-place finish at the U.S. Open. Vijay Singh was still talking about how good shots went unrewarded at Pinehurst No. 2 and how disappointing his third-place finish was. "I thought this Open was my tournament to win," Singh said. And Ernie Els just wanted to forget the whole disastrous outing in which he shot 72-76 and missed the cut. "I was kind of over-anxious to make a good shot, instead of letting the golf course take care of my golf game," he said. "I tried to push things where I shouldn't have." All three golfers say they are eager to make amends starting Thursday. Despite the difficulty of Pinehurst No. 2 and the grinding atmosphere of the Open, Duval said he is surprised at how ready he is to play at Westchester's Buick Open. "I wanted to come and play here because I do like it," he said. "But I didn't really expect to be as eager to play as I am. I thought I would be a little more worn out. I seemed to have gotten past that pretty quick." The 6,722, par-72 Westchester Country Club is regarded by players as similar to U.S. Open courses with its tight fairways, thick rough and small, fast greens. Normally, the tournament is scheduled the week before the U.S. Open and is popular as an Open tuneup by many players. One week after the Open this year, the tournament managed to attract only four of the top 10 money winners this year (Duval, Jeff Maggert, Singh and Steve Pate). Other tops names competing here are Fred Couples, Steve Elkington, Lee Janzen, Tom Lehman and Justin Leonard. Els was a back-to-back, wire-to-wire winner in the 1996 and 1997 Buick Classics, but he was forced to withdraw on his ninth hole in last year's first round because of a bad back. He said he finally got over the injury late last year. In addition to winning this event twice, Els finished tied for fourth in 1995 and was second to Janzen in 1994. In 16 career rounds here, he has been over par only once. "I can't explain it," Els said. "All I can say is I like playing here. I like the way it sets up. You've got to hit fairways and greens and you have got to putt well." J.P. Hayes is the defending champion. He beat Jim Furyk on the first playoff hole in last year's rain-plagued tournament which was shortened to 54 holes. DIVOTS: Total price money has increased from $1.8 million to $2.5 million and first-prize from $324,000 to $450,000. ... Duval, Bob Tway, Mike Hulbert and Doug Martin took batting practice at Shea Stadium prior to Tuesday night's Marlins-Mets game. Several players asked Duval for his autograph and about playing in the U.S. Open. "I was telling them it was like trying to stop a six-iron right there on the pitching mound," Duval said of Pinehurst's domed greens. ... Joel Kribel, a four-time collegiate All-America at Stanford, makes his pro debut this week.
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