Barclays Classic the perfect lead in to US Open
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2006 Barclays Classic | Preview | 07 Jun 2006
Despite the late withdrawal Ernie Els, a field befitting the quality of the golf course and he tradition of the event lines up for this week’s Barclays Classic in Harrison County north east of New York City.
As has been the case in 2002 and 2004 in the week prior to each US Open held in the New York region, the Barclays Classic has proven to be the perfect lead in event to the second major of the year, firstly because of the proximity of the two venues and secondly because of the style of golf course that Westchester Country Club presents.
Last year this event was held the week after Pinehurst, which perhaps impacted on the strength of the field to some extent in 2005 but it is back in its normal timeslot this year and a quality field is the result.
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 6830 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.
Phil Mickelson has not often played in this event but there is little reason to suggest the layout doesn’t suit him. He did well enough last week at the Memorial to be the justifiable favourite this week.
Jim Furyk has had several top tens at Westchester including his runner up placing last year. He has been solid of late and on a golf course that suits his style of play he can be expected to do well.
Retief Goosen is another who has not played here often but is using this as his last minute preparation for the Open next week. Surprisingly he did not play here the week before his Shinnecock win suggesting that perhaps he feels he is still in need of improvement. His less than impressive recent form suggests that is the case.
Adam Scott has been somewhat of a revelation in his last few starts in the US. He appears to be developing consistency and the subtle changes he made to his swing earlier in the year are now perhaps starting to take full effect. He has had top four finishes in each of his last three USPGA Tour events with a missed cut at the BMW at Wentworth thrown in two weeks ago. His game appears to be in as good a shape as it has been leading into a major championship next week and his form over the next two weeks will be much anticipated especially by Australians. He has made the cut on both occasions he has played this event but hardly featured.
Sergio Garcia has been twice a winner here and despite the fact that his current form is not his best, it might just be that a visit to Westchester might inspire him. His 18th place at last week’s Memorial was good enough.
Vijay Singh has won here twice but not for many years although he has done just about everything but win in the interim. The concern with Singh is his current form. He has struggled in recent weeks and a win here would be a much greater surprise than would have been the case even three months ago.
One would think that this is the type of golf course that would suit Luke Donald down to the ground. It is not a golf course built around power and Donald’s precision play should even further enhance his chances. He is playing well enough right now to be a contender in an event in which he finished 7th two years ago.
Padraig Harrington would dearly love to take a piece of Westchester back to Ireland with him. In two starts in the event he has won and been runner up and with a string of solid recent finishes behind him then he probably deserves to be a warmer favourite that he is likely to be.
Tim Clark might do well around a golf course where he has had two nice finishes in the last two years. He was 18th at the Memorial and 14th at the Wachovia which were solid weeks. He seems to escape the attention of many but he is the 14th ranked player in the world.
Jose Maria Olazabal could well be a serious contender next week at Winged Foot and a good finish here would further enhance his chances. He has not played this golf course well and that is the concern but there have been several very good finishes of late. He is now the 11th ranked golfer in the world, highlighting the progress he has made in the last twelve months.
Other than Scott the Australasians are represented by Stuart Appleby, Robert Allenby (if he plays), Geoff Ogilvy, Rod Pampling, Steve Elkington, Peter Lonard, Nathan Green who will be buoyed by his success in gaining a US Open place, John Senden, Stephen Leaney, a resurgent Craig Parry, Mark Hensby, Mattie Goggin and Phil Tataurangi. Goggin and Tataurangi are also now in the field for the US Open following their success at Sectional qualifying on Monday.
Photo – Anthony Powter
