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US Open Golf 2011 Not Just For The Youngsters
Last year, during live telecasts CBS' Jim Nantz frequently singled out the 20-something group of golfers on Tour--Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymar, Rory McIlroy, Louis Oosthuizen, etc--as the future of golf.
And he's right, for the next decade or so, the game seems to be in capable hands.
But that doesn't mean you can count out that older generation. Look at what Fred Couples, Tom Watson, K.J. Choi, Phil Mickelson, and Jim Furyk have achieved on the Tour in the last few years.
In a tournament like the US Open, where playing the percentages and calm under pressure is so vital, experience can be terribly important.
And although he has never won a major title, I think you'd have to look at 44-year-old Steve Stricker as the best "oldie" contender.
MUST READ: 2011 U.S. Open: Ranking the Last 20 National Champions
Stricker has been outstanding this 2011 PGA Tour season. In addition to winning two weeks ago at the Memorial, he's made every cut, hasn't finished lower than 33rd yet this year, and most importantly is second on Tour in putts per round, 1.69.
And just for good measure, he should feel pretty comfortable the first two days at Congressional: he'll be playing alongside fellow 44-year-old David Toms and 42-year-old Retief Goosen.
There will probably be a lot of Ben-Gay and Icy Hot to go around in that threesome.
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