Robert Dinwiddie has never had much luck trying to make The Open, but the US Open is different. He's playing for the second time this week.
American dream suits Durham golfer
Robert Dinwiddie has never had much luck trying to make The Open, but the US Open is a very different story.
It's always been a case of so near yet so far at home for Dinwiddie - he's tried and failed 13 times to make it into the field.
But this week at Congressional the 28-year-old from Durham will be playing in the US Open for the second time.
Dinwiddie's debut in the Stateside major was a dream in 2008 as he was just five shots off the pace at halfway before eventually finishing a highly creditable 36th.
Dinwiddie says he's copied his Torrey Pines preparation this year, and is hoping it pays off again.
"I've done exactly the same as I did for Torrey because it worked all right there," he said.
"I had a full practice round on Sunday when it was quiet, then Monday completely off - I didn't even come to the course - and then nine holes Tuesday and nine Wednesday.
Nervous
"It means so much to be here. Even going out for a practice round you're somewhat nervous. It's completely different to a regular European Tour event - you spend so much time stopping to sign autographs and the days are so much longer.
"Take yesterday. I got here at seven, played nine holes, had a spot of lunch, then came to the range and it was half one. You feel like you could be completely spent before the tournament starts, so it's key not to wear yourself out.
"It's everything I expected it to be - the set-up is very similar to Torrey. I'm not super long, but I like to think pretty straight, so if I can get a bit of run I'm not too far behind and can hit a reasonable club into the greens.
"If you drive it well it helps in any tournament, but particularly here. It's course management - there'll be times when you're better off not going for the green, but leaving it short and then trying to get up and down.
"I think I have higher expectations than last time. I'm determined not to be daunted by it, but I'm trying to play that down as much as I can.
"It's about bringing it all the way back to concentrating on every shot and trying to hit it as good as I can, then add it up and see how I've done.
"One thing I've never seen before is an extra yardage book just for the breaks on the greens. As if we hadn't got enough to think about already!
"I think I'm going to forget about it to be honest - with greens like this it comes down to feel. At the end of the day you're trying to simplify it as much as possible."
