Jaco van Zyl has been enjoying his rise into the upper echelons of professional golf, but faces a trial by fire at Oakmont Country Club this week.
The world number 54 earned a spot by being ranked within the top 60 golfers as at May 23rd, but this week the pidgeons come home to roost.
The US Open presents the toughest ordeal in golf and this year’s venue could be the trickiest yet.
‘Trepidation’ was the word Rory McIlroy used to summarise his feelings ahead of the year’s second major, and it was due to the Pennsylvania layout.
Great to be here @USOpengolf. Course is in great condition, should make for an interesting week! #USOpen #Oakmont pic.twitter.com/V8YQTmJOOB
— Jaco Van Zyl (@JacoVanZylGolf) June 15, 2016
Van Zyl played the 2013 US Open at Merion Golf Club and missed the cut, so he has an idea of what to expect this week at the 116th edition of the USA’s national open.
His 14 Sunshine Tour victories will help to boost his confidence, coupled with his recent share of seventh at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
Two missed cuts in seven starts are acceptable for the 37-year-old, who was sidelined for a large portion of the 2014 season due to knee injuries.
He’s flew back onto the international scene last year and was sole third at the Alstom Open de France and sole second at the Turkish Airlines Open.
Van Zyl is a solid all-round player and in his major prime. He’ll need to kick it up a notch this week at Oakmont, but has the momentum to do so.
