U.S. Open debutant Robert Rock was first in the queue at the American Embassy in London this morning (Monday).
Bizarrely, the 34-year old Englishman, who captured yesterday’s (SUN) concluding BMW Italian Open in Turin, strangely had not arranged a U.S. visa before heading to Washington D.C.
Rock had nearly two weeks to arrange the visa after qualifying at Walton Heath on June 30th.
However it meant a rush trip from the Royal Park Golf Club to nearby Turin Airport and then overnight in London before being up early to be at the American Embassy.
Rock was then was able to catch a lunchtime flight direct to the American capital ahead of Thursday’s starting U.S. Open.
And among those who no doubt seeking out Rock to congratulate him on ending a near 10-year winless drought will be Ireland’s Shane Lowry.
Rock’s had three second place finishes ahead of Sunday’s triumph in his 209th Tour event including the 2009 Irish Open when he lost a play-off to then amateur Shane Lowry of Ireland.
Naturally, there was overwhelming crowd support for Lowry and he succeeded on the back of what Rock described ‘an awkward and uncomfortable’ day for the Midlander.
Rock has always been reluctant to talk about the events of that wet and wild Sunday afternoon at Baltray.
Finally, Rock can bury forever those Irish Open demons and stand tall as a European Tour winner.
“There was a lot of support for me all the way around the course this week in Turin and I really, really appreciated that as it does make a lot easier,” he said.
“The last time at the Irish Open was awkward and a bit uncomfortable at times but here it was alright.”
