Published: Aug. 14, 2015
PGA golfers recall 2011 US Amateur experience
English, Henley shoot opening-round 4-under par
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News
HAVEN — Russell Henley and Harris English each used the 2011
U.S. Men’s Amateur Championship at Erin Hills as a springboard into their
professional golf careers.
“I think it puts a lot of pressure on you playing match
play, playing against a lot of guys who are playing well and who are all
planning on turning pro,” Henley said about his experience four years ago at
Erin Hills. “I think it’s a perfect way to end your amateur career, for sure.”
On Thursday, they were back in Wisconsin for the first time
since that tournament, playing in the first round of the 97th PGA Championship
at Whistling Straits. Each also put themselves into early contention as each
shot a 4-underpar 68.
“It was pretty calm on the front nine and (the wind) picked
up as my back nine went on,” Henley said.
On a challenging course with tricky wind, getting off to a
good start was almost a necessity.
“The wind was a little down on the front nine, so it was
imperative to get off to a good start and get some birdies,” English said.
“Back nine, it started getting a little breezy out there and it got tough.
“This golf course, if you’re on, you can get it, but if
you’re a little off, it makes for a tough day.”
Dustin Johnson is the firstround leader with a 6-under 66.
David Lingmerth is second with a 67.
Henley and English are two of eight players tied for third
with a 68.
There are three Wisconsin golfers in the field. Edgerton’s
Steve Stricker had the best day with a 1under-par 71.
Menasha’s Ryan Helminen and Hudson’s Brent Snyder each shot
a 76.
“I just had a couple of bad breaks, a little bit of a
buzz-saw,” Helminen said.
Henley and English aren’t the only players in this year’s
PGA Championship field that played at Erin Hills.
Jordan Spieth, a two-time major winner in 2015 (Masters and
U.S. Open), also played in that tournament.
In Thursday’s first round, Spieth, who lost in the
quarterfinal of the 2011 Amateur, shot a 71. He was paired with Rory McIlroy,
who shot a 71, Zach Johnson, who shot a 75.
Also in this year’s PGA Championship field who played at
Erin Hills were Byeong Hun An (75), Justin Thomas (72), Brooks Koepka (73) and
Emiliano Grillo (70).
Henley, English and Spieth made the match play portion of
the tournament, and Spieth advanced the farthest. Henley and English each lost
in the Round of 32. Looking back on that field four years ago, Henley said he
is blessed to have been a part of it.
“The fact that I’m seeing improvement in my game is a
dream,” he added. “That’s all you could really ask for, just to get a little
better every year. To be one of the guys to have made it on Tour for a few
years, hopefully for the rest of my career, but to be one of the guys who’s
made it for a few years is a dream come true.”
And outside of the PGA Championship field, the 2011 U.S.
Amateur has also jump-started the pro careers of Jack Senior, Kelly Kraft and
Patrick Cantlay, to name a few others.
Kraft beat Cantlay to win the U.S. Amateur.
Senior has won several professional tournaments in Europe,
and Kraft has won on the Web.com Tour and recently received his PGA Tour card
for the 2016 season.
“It’s really special,” English said. “That Walker Cup team
we had in 2011 was really special. Even though we didn’t get the job done in
Scotland, it was really cool to see all those guys play.”
Going into the 2011 Amateur, Henley and English had
comparable resumes as each had won a professional tour event as an amateur.
Shortly after the 2011 Amateur, each player turned
professional.
Henley burst onto PGA Tour the scene after a rough 2011
rookie season as a pro, but a pair of Web.com Tour victories in 2012. In his
third PGA Tour start — his first as a pro — he won the 2013 Sony Open in
Hawaii. Seve Ballesteros is the only golfer to accomplish that feat and only
Jim Benepe topped the feat, winning his professional debut in 1988 at the
Western Open.
“To win your first tournament as a pro was pretty sweet,” said
Henley, who also won the Honda Classic in 2014.
Henley was also tied for low amateur at 2010 U.S. Open.
In 2011, as an amateur, he won the Stadion Classic. Had he
not been an amateur, Henley would’ve won more than $200,000. At that time, he
wasn’t disappointed he couldn’t keep the money.
That changed when he won a tournament as a pro.
“I got to keep the money,” Henley said with a smile.
English won the 2011 Children’s Hospital Invitational a
month before the 2011 Amateur.
“It’s awesome to see your peers play well, make a name for
themselves and help the younger generation,” English said.
A reunion is in waiting for the seven players as Erin Hills
will host the 2017 U.S. Open.
“I enjoyed playing that course,” Henley said. “I thought it
was fun and unique. I thought it was fair. It kind of feels like this course a
little bit. It was a fun golf course. I’m definitely looking forward to going
back and stay with the same family as last time.”
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