PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Russell Henley walked up to the 18th green, opened his arms and waved for the fans to get out of their seats. Then he put a hand to his ear and asked the gallery to scream louder.
Even though the Pacific Ocean loomed on his left, he must have thought he was playing in Sanford Stadium.
The University of Georgia senior tied for low amateur with NCAA medalist Scott Langley at 8-over-par 292 in the biggest tournament of their relatively short golf careers. They tied for 16th in the entire field.
“If I never play another round of golf, then this is enough,” Henley said. “This was just the most amazing experience.”
Henley shot 2 over par Sunday with four birdies, four bogeys and a double-bogey on the famed short No. 7.
“This was one giant learning experience,” Henley said. “This is a course that will really let you know what you need to work on. It was one of the most memorable weeks of my life.”
Snedeker finishes strong
Former Chattanooga Classic runner-up Brandt Snedeker barely made the cut Friday evening but had one of the best weekends of anybody in the field.
The former Vanderbilt star shot a 69 Saturday and even-par 71 Sunday to tie for eighth at 289, which earns him an automatic entry into the 2011 U.S. Open.
“I played great on the weekend, which brings up questions about what might have been if I played like this early in the week,” Snedeker said. “I played a great back nine and had it 4 under and I was doing good things. Then I guess 17 is playing a par 4 today, and on 18 I had my one bad swing.”
Who said what?”There were a lot of emotions going on there on 18 today. Even with my son on the bag and all the memories, great memories I’ve had here, a beautiful spot at 18, it’s just looking at Stillwater Cove there and hit a good bunker shot. But I drew a blank on the putt and pushed it out there and made it coming back, fortunately, but, yeah, the emotions are pretty high — very high.”– Tom Watson on perhapsPlaying his last U.S. Open holeShot that helpedShaun Micheel on No. 6: Micheel scored an elusive double-eagle on a cold chilly day, when his 3-iron approach on No. 6 from 239 yards out landed short of the green but rolled up and into the cup. It’s just the second double-eagle in U.S. Open history. T.C. Chen had one in 1985.Shot that hurtDustin Johnson on No. 2: The third-round leader started his quick descent by hitting left-handed out of a bunker on No. 2 on what wound up as a triple-bogey.
Axley uncertain
After completing his round Sunday, Eric Axley had no idea where he’ll play next. He tied for 63rd at 300.
“It was a hard week,” said Axley, who grew up in Athens, Tenn. “My short game was pretty pitiful this week. I couldn’t make 4-, 5- or 8-footers for par, and it started wearing me down.
“I don’t know what’s next, so I’ll find out Monday.”
No repeat … again
Defending champion Lucas Glover finished his final round before the leaders even teed off.
The former Clemson star shot a 76 Sunday and finished at 15-over 299 for the tournament, one year after outlasting Phil Mickelson, Ricky Barnes and David Duval for the championship.
“I had high hopes and expected to play better, but I didn’t,” said Glover, who tied for 58th. “I never had much luck here and I didn’t have much confidence when I got here, and the course wasn’t set up well for me.
“I’m not good at landing balls in the rough and getting them close from there.”
It’s been 21 years since Curtis Strange won back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 1988 and ’89.
Fast start
Pablo Martin of Spain was the first and only player off the first tee Sunday at 7:25 a.m. PDT. He played in 2 hours, 39 minutes with a marker who did not play.
“The U.S. Open is the best atmosphere I’ve seen in any tournament I’ve played in,” Martin said. “This is exactly the way golf should be right now. It is so much fun for us and the crowd.”
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