North Carolina State University Athletics
CLARK, PETTERSSON: A Disappointing Day in Pinehurst
6/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
June 16, 2005
PINEHURST, N.C. -- Former NC State All-Americas Tim Clark and Carl Pettersson are playing in the 105 U.S. Open this week at Pinehurst No. 2. Each shared his post-round thoughts with gopack.com's Tim Peeler. Even though Clark shot a 6-over par 76, with a double bogey on his final hole of the day, he found reason for optimism in his play. He was one of the few people to make an eagle on the difficult par-5 fourth hole and he made a 20-foot putt for par on No. 5, which is generally regarded as one of the toughest holes ever in the US Open. Pettersson double-bogeyed the first hole en route to an opening-round 77.
I started the day out poorly, but I began to play quite a bit better on the back nine. But then I doubled the last hole, which really hurt. Had I finished the day at 4-over par, I would have been pretty happy with that, considering the way I played early in the day.
Making the double-bogey hurt, mainly because it was my own doing. The ninth hole is a par 3, and I hit one club higher than I should have. I hit a really good shot that went straight over the flag and then off the green into an area where you just don't want to go. Overall at Pinehurst No. 2, you don't want to be long on any of the holes. I just put myself into a very bad area.
 |
Friday's U.S. Open tee times
Carl Pettersson, 7:11 a.m. (No. 10 tee) Tim Clark, 1:43 (No. 1 tee)
|
I have really enjoyed the week here so far. I have had a lot of support from friends of mine from Raleigh who have come down to watch me play to and spend a little bit of time with me. Luckily, the people I know here know to give me my space and let me get on with my business when I need to.
There has also been quite a bit of support from NC State fans here. I remember on a couple of holes, right after I hit my tee shot, I heard some people shout "Go Wolfpack!" I can always pick that out of a crowd.
Unfortunately, when you are out on the golf course, it is pretty much you against the course out there and all the support in the world can't help you a whole lot. But it's nice to have.
One of the fun things about this Open is to be able to watch Carl Pettersson play in it for the first time. Carl and I lived together for a year, right when he came to NC State. I was already out of school at the time, but we still shared an apartment. We have spent some time together this week, though he has spent more time with his family. His parents came over from Sweden to watch him play and his wife, Deanna, and their daughter, Carlie, have been here every day. I think it is nice for everyone here with him. He is starting to play better here lately and it would be nice to see him have a good tournament.
I also got some valuable help from another former Wolfpack golfer. Kelly Mitchum, who is on the Pinehurst teaching staff, walked 18 holes with me on Tuesday and told me some things I needed to know about the course. He has great experience around this course and to have him give me some insight to help me execute some shots.
It's time for me to go to practice a little bit with my caddie and try to sort out what needs to be sorted out. Actually, today is the first time in a while that I felt like my swing was actually coming around. So I don't feel like I have a whole lot of work to do, because I want to keep swing that coming around. But I will spend some time on the practice green working on my putting , because in the US Open, you are always going to have to make putts.
After that, I will go home and watch the tournament on television, like everybody else.
But tomorrow, if I can go out and play like I did the last few holes on Thursday, I think I can go out and shoot and even-par round.
 |
|
But right when I hit my second shot, the wind switched directions and instead of being at my back it was in my face. There was a lot of wind on the course, which is why guys who played early in the day thought the greens were really slow and the guys who played later in the day thought they were too fast. They dried out.
Anyway, I thought I had hit a really good shot on No. 1 until I realized the wind changed directions. My ball landed on the front edge of the first green and spun back. I hit a terrible chip and made a double bogey. After that I thought I played pretty well for about 10 holes, then I made stupid bogeys on No. 12 and No. 13.
On 12, I was in the middle of the fair with a wedge in my hand and made bogey. On 13, I just hit a bad tee shot on not a very difficult hole. I felt like I just gave away two strokes right there.
I don't really feel like I played that badly, just like I haven't played that badly the last month or so on the PGA Tour. I got off to a really bad start, then I played pretty good coming in.
On the 17th hole, a difficult par-3, I hit my tee shot in front of the flag and the ball rolled right over the hole for a near hole-in-one. I was surprised it was that close. It was a good shot, one of the few I hit all day.
Now, heading into the second round, I have a lot of work to do if I am going to make the cut. I think if I shoot 1 or 2 over, I might have a chance.
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
