Australians looking to extend Torrey Pines record
The entry statement to the public golf course that is Torrey Pines
In recent years Torrey Pines Golf Course on the coastline outside of San Diego has proven a happy hunting ground for Australians.
Marc Leishman and Jason Day (twice) have been winners there and Leishman (twice), Day, Adam Scott and Michael Sim have all finished runner-up at various stages at the Farmers Insurance Open over the past ten or so years.
This week seven Australians get their opportunity to extend that record, although Day will not be one of them having missed out on the various criteria needed to secure a start at the US Open and not competed in Final Qualifying.
Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Adam Scott, Matt Jones, Brad Kennedy and Wade Ormsby were all exempt prior to the automatic qualification deadline of June 13th and Steve Allan played his way into the field via Final Qualifying last week.
Amongst that group only Kennedy is debuting at a US Open.
Smith is playing his 6th having a best of 4th on debut in 2015, a finish which essentially secured his place on the PGA Tour the following year.
For Leishman it will be his 10th appearance, having a best of 18th behind Dustin Johnson in 2016.
This week will be Adam Scott’s 20th consecutive US Open start. His best came in 2015 when he tied for 4th along with Cameron Smith at Chambers Bay.
Jones is playing for the 5th time but has missed the cut in four and was forced to withdrew when on debut in 2009.
Ormsby made his one and only appearance in the event when missing the cut in 2017 but his performances on last year’s Asian Tour have secured him another shot.
Steve Allan will play his first US Open since Pebble Beach in 2010 but it will be his sixth overall, qualifying on most occasions through the grueling local and sectional qualifying process.
The golf course will be a very different set-up to that provided for the regular tour event, the Farmers Insurance Open, Tiger Wood’s winning score of 1 under par there in 2008 highlighting just what a beast the South Course layout can become.
Adam Scott in practice this week – photo USGA
