THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 13, 1996 TAG: 9606130531
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Comment
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICH. LENGTH: 77 lines
Certainly not as much as in 1988 or '89, but a portion of every U.S. Open week still belongs to Curtis Strange.
By his own admission, he's been a non-factor at the Greensboros and Phoenixes of the PGA world long enough now that he can walk unimpeded to the men's room.
But not this week.
Strange found company the moment he entered the cramped quarters of Oakland Hills' creaky locker room.
That's what a pair of Open championships and 10 top-25 finishes will do for you.
It's the Open.
People want to know what you think of the course, of the latest foreign invader, of golf in cyberspace. They want to see inside your heart, to ascertain how your memories of The Country Club and Oak Hill stack up with theirs.
The 41-year-old Hampton Roads native isn't much into memories or detailed reflection. Yeah, he thought about his two finest moments last week while on the practice range at Kingsmill's Woods Course, which he had a hand in designing.
``It helps my mood,'' he said. ``But, believe me, the rest of the time I don't dwell on it.''
Just by happenstance, he played a couple of practice rounds with Corey Pavin, the embodiment of determination and will.
``It's called cramming for finals in two days,'' he said, smiling.
Some of it rubbed off. Sitting over a sandwich, drip-drying after getting caught in the start of what became a June monsoon, Strange had an edge in his voice - an obvious enthusiasm for his surroundings and the start of his 18th Open.
``I always feel better at the Open,'' Strange said. ``I always get more excited at the Open than at any other tournament. Even before I won, I played well at Opens. Those times keep you coming back.''
This is one in which he believes he can be a factor. Whether that's realistic or not likely won't be known until the cut Friday.
If the fairways and greens dry out and par again becomes the target to reach, not just something in the way, Strange could again contend.
Few thought it possible two years ago at Pittsburgh's Oakmont, but Strange finished a strong fourth at 4-under par.
He didn't have the same respect for that course that he has for Oakland Hills.
He doesn't have the same respect for any course that he does for Donald Ross' 1917 creation.
``It's the perfect Open test,'' Strange said. ``It's the toughest Open test I've ever seen. I like it.''
What he especially cherishes is, believe it or not, rough so tall it would swallow up the kid caddies that once were fixtures at USGA events.
``It's difficult, but consistent,'' he said. ``Perfect. There's no luck involved. There are no spots out there where you're going to get lucky and get a decent lie. It's just the way it should be.''
This is Strange's third career trip to Oakland Hills. Like all great golf courses, it offers some new gem to admire each time.
``I'm still shocked at the undulations of the greens,'' he said, some small sense of wonderment evident. ``There's nothing like it anywhere else we play. When you're on the green, the game's just begun.''
None of the players have complained publicly, but Strange evidently has heard some backroom whispers about how difficult Oakland Hills promises to play. He shook his head in disbelief.
``I don't understand what they're complaining about,'' he said. ``What do they want? It's the U.S. Open. You should have to hit every kind of shot.
``Why don't they complain about some of the other places where we play majors, where you just launch it? This is one of the original tough golf courses in the world.''
And his record shows him to be one of the best tough-course players.
This week, that may make him someone worth keeping an eye on. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE photo
Curtis Strange brandishes the first of his back-to-back U.S. Open
trophies after beating Nick Faldo in a playoff in 1988. by CNB