Veteran Fred Funk marvelled at the sight six years ago of Michael Campbell taming both Pinehurst No. 2 and hard-charging Tiger Woods to capture the U.S. Open.
But then Funk could hardly believe his eyes when Campbell snap-hooked his drive at the opening hole on the first day of the U.S. Open.
Campbell had been ‘flushing’ the ball on the nearby Congressional practice range ahead of 7.33am (Local time) tee time in the company of the 55-year old Funk and amateur David Chung.
Campbell stepped onto the tee and seemed to be in good spirits when he waved fellow U.S. Open winner, Ernie Els from the course as the South African crossed in front of the first tee as he made his own way to the range.
Campbell was last to tee off with the USGA Official Starter announcing: “From New Zealand and the 2005 U.S. Open champion, Michael Campbell.”
Marshalls indicate Michael Campbell's ball left off the first tee.
But there was then sighs of amazement and with volunteer ball spotter standing at the back of the tee, waving their directional markers left.
In fact, Campbell’s ball found the rough less than 200 yards off the tee from where he wasted little time chipping back to the fairway, and before Funk and Chung had reached their own drives much further down the fairway.
The bogey ‘five’ was the first of six for Campbell while he had just two birdies completing in his 13th U.S. Open.
Campbell’s eventual four over par 75 left him trailing 10 strokes behind Northern Ireland’s impressive Rory McIlroy.
And Campbell’s continues a trend of never having broken 70 on the first day of a U.S. Open since making his debut at Oakland Hills in 1996.
Funk walked from the course limping after having first undergone arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in mid-2008 but then developing a staph infection two years ago in his left knee.
And after his round, the veteran of 21 U.S. Open’s and popular Maryland native had to sit in being asked about his opening day effort.
But he also spoke of Campbell and was sympathetic the New Zealander continues to struggle to take his good form on the range, the 100-yards or so to the first tee.
“I’ve known Michael a long time and he’s friends with everybody, and he’s just a great guy,” said Funk.
Fred Funk wonders what happened to Michael Campbell's US Open winning ball flight.
“I know he hasn’t been playing that great recently, and it seems that his ball flight has changed since he won at Pinehurst.
“He’s hitting a ‘low heater’ all the time now and that’s different to how I remember he played.
“That shot he played off the first tee just amazed and when that happens, it leaves wondering where did that come from.
“But to Michael’s credit he battled on and he and I walked off with the same scores – 75s.
“Though with Michael you wouldn’t know whether he’s shot a 75 or a 65 or he’s 18 over par or 18 under par, as his demeanour never changes
“But he’s a great guy and the thing that struck me more than anything today is that he’s not hitting the same way he hit it to beat Tiger at Pinehurst.
“He used to send the ball up pretty high but that’s not the case now.”
