Brehaut revelling in the spotlight

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June 19, 2009

Journeyman professional Jeff Brehaut is intent on enjoying his time at the top of the US Open leaderboard, however long it lasts.

Journeyman professional Jeff Brehaut is intent on enjoying his time at the top of the US Open leaderboard, however long it lasts.
The 46-year-old Californian, now a regular on the Nationwide Tour after eight years on the PGA Tour until losing his card two years ago, woke up this morning as the co-leader of a major having played 11 holes of his opening round at one under par before heavy rain over New York stopped play.
Brehaut, fellow American Ryan Spears, Canada’s Andrew Parr and Johan Edfors of Sweden are set to resume play as one-shot leaders over a seven-man group including England’s Ian Poulter and Masters champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina.
And having played the PGA Tour Qualifying School 13 times before finally earning his card, Brehaut is determined to make the most of his time in the spotlight.
“I guess that’s what we’re supposed to be striving for. I told (playing partner) JP Hayes after he made birdie on the 10th hole, I said, ‘wow, you’re leading the Open’. So now I’m here. It’s a long way to go. But not that this isn’t great.”
Brehaut, who bogeyed his opening hole at the par-four 10th yesterday and then birdied the par-five 13th and par-three 17th to get to one under, also tried and failed year after year to qualify for the US Open until he finally succeeded two years ago and went on to claim a tie for 17th at Oakmont.
“It was a long time. I just turned 46 and Oakmont was my first major, my first US Open, and I tried many times.
“So it was a big deal. And so this time to get a second crack at it, after playing pretty well at Oakmont, I was hopeful that I could do well.
“And so to be here right now is pretty cool.”

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