South Africa’s Oliver Bekker will make his US Open debut this week in Wisconsin. WADE PRETORIUS spoke to him to get more information on his preparation and course thoughts.
‘My preparation is going really well and I’ve made the most of getting here early and getting to know the area ahead of tomorrow,’ Bekker told Compleat Golfer.
‘The wind is going to play a big factor this week. Yesterday we had a different wind and it made all the par 3s play really long. But if the prevailing winds blow, then I think holes 3 and 4 will be the toughest – they are long already and the greens are small and sloping.
‘Nine and 18, however, will be tough regardless which way the wind is blowing. 9 is a real little beast. Although it’s not a long par 3, there are these little bunkers that you can run into and have absolutely no stance in trying to get out.
‘You have to hit a precision tee shot to avoid a big number all week on 9.
‘The slopes on the greens are a challenge and can be quite severe, especially on a hole like 18 where you can hit it on and easily end up 20 or even 40 yards off of it.’
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Scoring is notoriously difficult at the event, but with Erin Hills set up to be a par 72 – the first time in 25 years – there are four birdie opportunities every round.
‘I am definitely going to try and make the most of the par 5s – all of them should be reachable or at least you will get close in two, so that’s where you need to make sure you score.
‘There’s been a lot of talk about the rough and yes, if you miss the fairway you’re pretty dead, but they are wide, so I think it will come down to what happens on and around the greens.’
Jordan Spieth called the US Open the toughest mental test in the game, and with Bekker making his debut at a Major this week, nerves are likely to play a factor on Thursday. The multiple Sunshine Tour winner considers his 10th start to be a bonus when it comes to playing his first hole at a Major.
‘The first tee is going to be interesting. You try not be too nervous, but it will be different. I am starting on 10, which has a generous fairway and is a driver hole, so that’s definitely going to help. I will be sticking to my routine and hoping for a good swing to start my tournament.’
Bekker starts his US Open at 19:30 SA time, with Australia’s Wade Ormsby and American Kyle Thompson for company in round one and two.
All the first round tee times HERE!
Photo: Petri Oeschger/Sunshine Tour/Gallo Images
