Furyk learnt from Birkdale

A lesson learned at Birkdale last year has helped put Jim Furyk firmly in contention for a first Open Championship title.
A lesson learned at Birkdale last year has helped put former US Open champion Jim Furyk firmly in contention to win his first Open Championship at Turnberry tomorrow (Sunday).
Twelve months ago at Birkdale, Furyk was three shots off the lead at halfway but slumped to a third round of 77, eventually finishing fifth after a closing round of 71.
Furyk made sure he did not repeat that mistake today with a typically steady round of 70 for a one-under-par total of 209.
“I was real pleased with my play and shooting 70 on this golf course today, I felt like I played a real good round,” said the 39-year-old.
“Anyone under par leaped up the leaderboard today, so even par is going to get me closer to the lead, less people in between me and the lead, and give me an opportunity to wake up tomorrow with a chance to win the Open.
“I did a good job of putting the ball in the fairway. I did a good job of making some good saves and some good putts. I putted real well from eight feet and in today.
“I kept my round going at quite a few key moments and that’s what you’ve got to do.
“Last year, I was just reminded, on Saturday on the back nine, I played a very poor nine holes, I kind of knocked myself out of the Open. So I really wanted to focus on the way in today and get it in the house with a pretty good score.”
Furyk won the US Open in 2003 and has had four top-five finishes in the Open, and he feels that experience could be an advantage in tomorrow’s final round.
“I think it’s always a feather in your cap,” the world number nine added. “It’s nice to have that there, memories to lean back on, but it’s going to be a bunched-up leaderboard.
“It’s maybe an advantage when you’re head-to-head with one person, if you have that experience and he doesn’t.
“It doesn’t mean you’re going to win but, when there’s so many guys bunched up at the top of the leaderboard, I’m not sure it really matters that much.”
Latest
-
European Tour
Ian Poulter among three LIV Golf Series players to get Scottish Open reprieve
Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding have had their suspensions temporarily stayed.
-
News
Graeme McDowell shocked by people wishing him dead since switching to LIV Golf
The 2010 US Open champion acknowledged his switch to LIV was “about the money”.
-
PGA Tour
JT Poston completes wire-to-wire victory at John Deere Classic
England’s Callum Tarren bogeyed two of his last four holes en route to a one-under 70 as he was forced to settle for equal-sixth place.
-
European Tour
Adrian Meronk makes history for Poland as David Law celebrates Open berth
Meronk’s flying finish made him his country’s first winner on the DP World Tour.
-
News
Paul Casey becomes latest player to join LIV Golf series
He opted out of the inaugural Saudi International on the European Tour in 2019 citing concerns over the country’s human rights record.
-
European Tour
Adrian Meronk has the edge as he aims to make Tour history for Poland
A third round of 68 at Mount Juliet means a one-shot advantage on a crowded leaderboard.
-
European Tour
Shane Lowry birdies last four holes to make Irish Open cut
Jorge Campillo tops the leaderboard at the midway point.
-
European Tour
Keith Pelley hits back at 16 players threatening DP World Tour with legal action
Pelley says the sanctions against players who competed in the first LIV Golf event are ‘proportionate’ and ‘fair’.
-
PGA Tour
JT Poston takes two-shot lead at John Deere Classic
The 29-year-old also became the first player on record to open consecutive Tour events with 62 or better.
-
European Tour
Ryan Fox surprised to be leading after opening round of Horizon Irish Open
The New Zealander carded a flawless 64 to set the pace at Mount Juliet.