LSU's Philip Barbaree continues to prep for U.S. Open Debut
Philip Barbaree on Shinnecock Hills Practice Range
(AmateurGolf.com Photo)
SOUTHAMPTON, NY (June 12, 2018) - You would be hard pressed to find a player in the U.S. Open field that his been on-site longer than Philip Barbaree. The rising LSU junior qualified out of Richmond, Texas sectional last Monday and by Wednesday he was already putting peg into dirt at Shinnecock Hills.
"I've been really just trying to make the week as long as I can," Barbaree said. "I mean this is a pretty cool experience so just trying to make the most of it which is part of the reason we came early."
Barbaree has split his time between playing the course and working on his game at the range and short game area. When we caught up with him towards the end of his practice session he had just finished hitting a series of chip shots.
However, for Barbaree this week isn't only about appearing in the U.S. Open it is about sharing the experience with three current LSU teammates and one former teammate.
"Being here with a couple guys I know from LSU is pretty special," the 2015 U.S. Junior Amateur winner said.
Joining Barbaree in the field this week are current Tigers Jacob Bergeron who qualified out of Richmond, Texas as well and Luis Gagne while former LSU star Sam Burns is playing in his first career major.
"I was telling someone yesterday that even though it is the U.S. Open and it is a big stage it is almost like everyday you play with the same people and they are out here and it makes it a lot more comfortable for us," explained Barbaree. "We [the LSU group] have already played a practice round together and I think we are going to try and get another one [in] on Wednesday to, it has been really special and it makes the week a whole lot better."
With preparation time winding down Barbaree will continue to work on getting comfortable ahead of his 2:31 p.m. tee time Thursday that includes fellow amateur, Ohio State standout Will Grimmer and Cameron Wilson.
"[Right now I'm] just trying to wind down the preparation and get on the course a little bit more but overall just try to wind down and rest," said Barbaree of his plan for the rest of the week. "I'm sure I will have a lot of nerves but I am excited."
ABOUT THE
U.S. Open Golf Championship
The U.S. Open is the biggest of the 15 national
championships conducted by the USGA.
Open
to amateurs and professionals. Amateurs gain
entry via USGA win or runner-up finishes while having the opportunity
to qualify alongside non-exempt professionals in an 18-hole "Local' qualifying followed
by 36-hole "Final" qualifying which is affectionately known as golf's longest day.
Highly-ranked amateurs will be exempted past the 18-hole Local Qualifying. See the
USGA website for details. And if you are exempt on any level be sure to apply by the deadline anyway.
The USGA intends to make the U.S. Open
the
most rigorous, yet fair, examination of golf
skills, testing all forms of shot-making. The
USGA prepares the course after careful
consideration of 14 different factors.
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