Superb field for lead up to US Open at Buick Classic
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2004 Buick Classic | Preview | 09 Jun 2004
The quality of the field at this week’s Buck Classic is quite a surprise given that the event falls just a week before the US Open.
Perhaps it is the quality of the golf course that entices those with a chance at Shinnecock Hills to feel comfortable about the test their game will receive just prior to what will be the ultimate test next week. Or perhaps it is the proximity of Westchester Country Club to Shinnecock Hills. Whatever the reason may be, the good folks at Buick headquarters in Detroit will be pretty darn happy at the outcome. It is true that their golden boy Tiger Woods is not here but him aside, there are very few of those most likely to do well next week who are not here. Woods of course is following his policy of not playing the week before a major.
The Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York, is yet another of the very fine traditional American golf courses. Built in 1922 and designed by Walter Travis, the course has been the home of the Buick Classic, albeit under several different names, since 1967 when won by Jack Nicklaus. I say traditional as it has that true country club feel about it, with its grand clubhouse and accommodation, the tall mature vegetation, small greens, tight fairways and the smell of American wealth.
The course is not overly long at 6780 yards, but is considered one of the better and more respected courses on tour because of the demands it places on all aspects of the game. The lack of actual length is balanced by the considerable elevation changes making the course play longer than the yardage suggests. There is a demand on keeping the ball in play, tall vegetation creating the need for strategic placement from the tee, with four inch rough and small and contoured, Bent/Poa annua greens.
Recent winners have not exactly been superstars of the USPGA Tour with Jonathan Kaye, defending his 2003 win this year, Chris Smith in 2002, Sergio Garcia, the exception in 2001, Dennis Paulson in 2000, Duffy Waldorf in 1999 and J.P. Hayes in 1998. Prior to that however, two of the games’ current stars, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els held court, both winning twice in the mid-90’s.
Els is the favourite this week but as much as he would like to win, he is no doubt looking for just a continuation of the good form he showed last week in order to have his game at a peak for next week. He has won here twice and was runner up as well during a dream run in the mid-90’s. He was eleventh last year and given his amazing run over the past couple of months, he is the logical favourite. There is the question mark though as to whether he will be at full throttle this week in the lead up to an event the following week, in which he is a big chance.
Vijay Singh has also been a two time winner of the event, but in recent weeks he has not been as sharp as he was earlier in the year. He was 6th here three years ago but if there is a question mark about him, it is his form over the last three starts this season.
Phil Mickelson missed the cut at the Byron Nelson then finished 35th at the Colonial which compared to what he was up to earlier in the year is ordinary. Mickelson has not played this event a lot in comparison to many others but was 25th in 2002 before finishing second to Woods at Bethpage and 13th in 2000.
Sergio Garcia has won here and the way his game is coming together then he will be a chance here. His win in 2001 came before the swing changes he made and his win at the Byron Nelson and subsequent solid weeks at the Colonial and the Memorial suggest that he will be in the thick of things on Sunday. He was fourth here last year.
Fred Couples has not won here but has often played well. He showed last week that a win would not be the surprise it may have been two weeks ago. He did play well for 6th at the Masters also in April.
Stewart Cink missed the cut here last year but had good finishes prior. He has played very well in recent weeks. Frederik Jacobson, Stephen Ames, Scott Verplank and Padraig Harrington are among others with chances amongst the favoured candidates.
Australasia has strong representation with Steve Allan, Stuart Appleby, Robert Allenby, Scott Hend, Stephen Leaney, Peter Lonard, Craig Parry, Adam Scott, Craig Perks, John Senden and Grant Waite lining up.
