thompson’s
big step
maybe michael thompson was playing above his
pay grade when he grabbed the early lead with a 66
thursday, the lowest round all week at the u.s. open.
if so, the second-year pga tour pro would counter
that his 75 and 74 in rounds two and three weren’t
indicative of his developing game either. come sunday at olympic club the 27-year-old, who fell in love
with the lake course when he reached the final of the
2007 u.s. amateur, hoped to better define his place
in the minds of golf’s cognoscenti. a final-round 67
proved one stroke too many to claim the title, but it
was enough to make an impression. as was the case
in his opening 18, thompson’s putter was his ally, the
former alabama all-american needing just 25 putts
sunday to help him record four birdies and one bogey.
yet he showed his game isn’t one-dimensional, hitting
11 fairways, nearly twice the number he had found the
previous two days. “i wanted to go out and have confidence,” thompson said. a t- 2 finish does that, as it
locks up his tour card for 2013 and a spot in the fedex
cup playoffs. it also gives those not sure what to make
of thompson’s game something to think about.
—Ryan Herrington (@GWcampusinsider)
04
andre w redington/getty images
cover // contents // big pictures // 10 ThInGS // Zinger’s corner // pga tour // rank and file //equipment // tim rosaforte
