For the second week running Robert Rock’s played a course blind’ and emerged seeing his way clear to be leading England player in the U.S. Open at Congressional.
The 34-year old Midlander again put aside the drama surrounding obtaining a U.S. visa with rounds of 70 and 71 for a one under par tally and a share of eighth when poor light halted play.
Robert Rock again well up the board less than a week after capturing BMW Italian Open
Rock did not arrive at last week’s BMW Italian Open in Turin until late on Wednesday night after unsuccessfully attempts to obtain a US visa from the American Embassy in London.
He ignored that concern and without a practice round, ended a near 10-year and 209 European Tour event winless drought to his first Race to Dubai title.
It was the same scenario this past week with Rock not being handed back his passport to late on Wednesday and eventually arriving in Washington DC also not having played a practice round on his U.S. Majors debut.
But with temperatures and the humidity rising in the U.S. Capital, Rock was beginning to feel some pinch as evident when he took three from the edge of the green at 18 he was playing as his ninth.
“I ran out of energy after nine holes to be honest and then at 18 or my ninth, I felt every bit of energy disappear,” he said.
“I knew it was going to be a battle after that but then even yesterday it was just interest and adrenaline that kept me going.
“I couldn’t get the shots to go normal distances. I just didn’t have it in me.
“I was trying to play cautiously and just plodded it round. So it’s a shame but then that happen’s when you have the build up I’ve had, this week and last week, and with winning last week taking a lot out of me.
”I’ve heard players say that happens to them after winning and I can now agree.”
Rock was returning straight to his hotel looking to conserve his energy ahead of playing all four rounds in his debut U.S. Open start.
And while he goes into the weekend trailing 10 shots behind Rory McIlroy ahead for Rock is the likelihood of automatically qualifying for the 2011 U.S. Open in San Francisco.
If so, that would allow him a whole year to renew his U.S. visa.
