Round Norfolk summer golf round 12. The US Open at Purdis Heath

The US Open

After the enforced mid-season break, the RNSG returned to action for the US Open at the very popular, and difficult, Ipswich Golf Club at Purdis Heath.

The year's third major saw just 9 players in attendance (Vince being a very late call-off), several returning from competing tours in far away places - Turkey, South Africa and Sussex!

The draw was made in the lavish surroundings of the recently redecorated (presumably for our visit) clubhouse and, after a couple of adjustments to fit people's schedules, we were off.

David, Chris and Jo got things under way. For David, the reigning US Open Champion, it was going to be a tough defence of his title as he scored just four 1-pointers on the first 4 holes and could only muster 11 points by the turn. 

David gets things underway on the first for a disappointing defence of his tittle

Chris started more solidly with four 2-pointers and, despite a blob on the 5th (SI 1), she scored a very impressive 16 points on the front 9. Jo was steady, but the fast start of a par and 3 points on the first was the highlight; however, a blob-free 9 of 14 points was more than respectable.

Jo in early action on the front 9

The all male, testosterone-fuelled group of Robert, Tim and Bob set off next. This was going to be a tough, gruelling encounter but, with current money list and eclectic leader Bob striking the ball down the middle of the first, much was expected. 

Bob looked the part on the first but flattered to deceive during the round

Sadly, the crowds who had flocked out to follow this group would have been very disappointed if the had actually flocked! They managed just 1 3-pointer between them (Robert's par on the 5th) and Bob's 11 points left him 2 behind the other two at the halfway stage.

 

Robert in early action

Out last were Andrew and Jill (a battle within a war) and Kevin, who won the last major to be held here, the 2016 US PGA, and held the course record of 36 points.This group looked like it meant things with 7 points between them on the first, and Kevin finding more fairways from the tee than he'd found all season. However, the boys started to struggle, especially Kevin. The last remaining yellow (or was it green) volvic was lost, clubs were gently thrown and the air became more colourful as the round, though not the scores, progressed finishing on 12.

Kevin made every hole an adventure, this time in a bunker on the second

 Andrew's round fell away at the turn, 13 points after 7 ending up as 14 after 9.

Andrew started the front 9 well with, on this occasion, a great shot out of the rough

Jill saw the opportunity to pounce with 8 of her 15 points coming on the very well-played 7, 8 and 9. 

 Unfortunately even with a very powerful zoom
 this is the closest the camera could get of Jill on the 4th ladies tee from the mens tee

As the groups entered the back 9, conversations turned more about how great the course had been presented for this event, rather than course records which, thankfully for Kevin, were unlikely to be broken today. David tried to recover his round; 12 points in 6 holes was good but the 3 blobs amongst the others left him on just 23.

David finding more trouble during his round

A sad defence but, remarkably, not last as later scores were to prove. Jo upped her game with six 2-pointers from the 10th. Some great recovery shots from the bunkers and the only blob-free round of the day saw her score rise to 30 points and, potentially, in the prizes. 

Jo on her way to a blob free round

Despite a blob on the 10th, Chris also found some form and also scored 16 points for a total of 32; she later commented, in a post-match interview, that greed out of the difficult rough had cost her the 2 blobs. (sadly no photos of Chris in action today so here is one from last time we played Purdis Heath instead) 

The boys in the middle group decided it was time to be men and all upped their game accordingly - well, just a little. 3-pointers were rare. In fact, Tim never saw one all day but he only had one blob; a steady round of ones and twos saw him amass just 27 points, leaving him sad but in love with the course.

Tim finishing up on 18 with another 2 pointer

Robert managed just one more 3 pointer in a blob-free back 9 and, with a good 15 points, clawed his way back up to 28 in total. 

Bob started to show signs of why he is leading the Tour with two 3-pointers on the back 9. His 17 points meant he managed to draw level with Robert's 28, though he did "try" to remove his playing partner from the event with a bunker shot that hit the lip and went 90 degrees left, causing evasive action from Robert; poor form Bob! 

As tour leader Bob is taking things rather seriously with his new laser distance to the flag machine.
 Just wait until he learns how to use it

So, with the girls from the first group leading, what challenge could the final 3-ball provide? Well, for Kevin, the rough, trees, bunkers and more rough were too much. A few more balls, 5 blobs and a 4-putt left him with just 9 points for a total of just 21. Gracious in defeat as always, Kevin seemed to spend much of the back 9 on his own, planning for his prize-giving speech to be as sincere as possible.

A rare moment sees Kevins ball actually on a green

Meanwhile, Andrew's poor form at the turn continued down 10 and 11 and then, from somewhere deep in his bag, he found his game. The joy of 11 points in 5 holes was soon lost, however, as another lack-lustre finish left him with just 14 points. However, his total of 28 did qualify him for joint 4th place, leaving him to compliment the course on its obvious difficulty. 

Andrew leaves himself a very long putt which he surprisingly didn't make

Jill, on the other hand, was finding it much easier, mainly due to fact, that she was playing good golf! A blob on the 12th could not put her off and the par / birdie finish for 6 points saw her climb the table and tie Chris at the top with 32 points. 

Jill tees off on the nearest the pin for one of 8 pars the field managed on that hole today
(for stats fans David Blobbed it)

And so the players returned to the clubhouse for tea, cake and the awards ceremony. Winner of the roll-over nearest-the-pin was Bob, though he missed the birdie opportunity! Jo was third on the day, whilst Chris and Jill shared the first prize. However, being a major, there can only be one title winner and Jill's 17 points on the back 9 secured her 3rd (different) major; congratulations, and she now only needs the British Open for the career Grand Slam, a feat not yet achieved by anyone on tour. Bob and Jill could do it if either win at Felixstow Ferry in the British Open next month.

Saffron Waldon next week - good luck everyone!