Barclays Classic perhaps the calm after the storm

BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2005 Barclays Classic | Preview | 23 Jun 2005

The Barclays Classic, previously known as the Buick Classic, is being played this season immediately following the US Open rather than just prior which was the case last year. Less intense than the drama that unfolded last week, the event is still certain to be a tightly fought contest.

This has had some impact on the field with Els and Mickelson missing from the line-up that competed in 2004 but having said that the quality is still very high.

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 a 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.

This year’s field contains the number two player in the world and the man who has been twice a winner here early in his US career and a regular contender in recent years, Vijay Singh. He played well last week without really threatening to win but he did well enough to maintain his form when 6th.

Sergio Garcia is here looking to win for the second time in three weeks in addition to his third placing at Pinehurst. He is in great form now and as the defending champion and as a two time winner, he is the real danger to all. When he hasn’t won he has also played well here with a 3rd, 4th and 12th placing.

Jim Furyk is back after a disappointing weekend at Pinehurst. He has not won at Westchester but there have been many good finishes and another can be expected this week. He had a reasonable week at the Booz Allen but can be expected to do better this week.

Kenny Perry has played at this course just the once in the last ten years when 9th last year but given the nature of the golf course and the quality of his driving they could well be a good mix. He had a solid week last week and it would not surprise if he was back in the thick of things this week.

Fred Couples has often played well at Westchester including his 4th placing last year and after his good showing at the Memorial recently he again played well last week.

Others worth consideration are last week’s third placegetter Tim Clark, Justin Leonard and Loren Roberts who has often played well here.

The Australians are headed by Nick O’Hern, who continues to play well in the US. He did not fare so well last week at Pinehurst but neither was his a bad week. On a golf course such as this he deserves consideration.

Steve Allan, Gavin Coles, Steve Elkington, Paul Gow, Scott Hend, Bradley Hughes, Brendan Jones, Stephen Leaney, Michael Long, Craig Parry, Craig Perks and John Senden are also here.

The tournament is worth $US5.75 million.