Practice Range A Duffer’s Dream At U.S. Open
by Alfie Lau
It was just before noon and the World’s No. 1 golfer, Rory McIlroy, hit the driving range for his final warm-up before the Father’s Day round of the U.S. Open.
McIlroy was sitting at (+4) for the tournament and he needed a big day to at least force the contenders 8 shots ahead of him to think about him if he were to post a low number.
McIlroy had a great practice session, shooting a final round 66 that could have been much better if he had scored on any of the four final holes. But it was his practice session that had IG editor Bryan Outram and myself intrigued.
Mere feet from McIlroy, FOX Sports’ Holly Sonders was conducting interviews in a shorter-than-short skirt and McIlroy may have caught a glance on his follow-through.
image credit bryan outram
FOX Sports Golf Broadcaster Holly Sonders Was Inteviewing Golfers On The Range At The U.S. Open
A couple of stalls over, Kevin Na was marveling at Georgia amateur Ollie Schniederjans, who was hitting 5-irons further than Na was hitting woods. By the time the leaders came onto the range, it was great to see Butch Harmon on the range, working with Dustin Johnson.
And then Harmon got another visitor, as FOX Sports commentator Greg Norman came down to greet Harmon.
image credit bryan outram
Legendary Australian Golfer Greg 'The Shark' Norman Paid A Visit To Legendary Teacher Butch Harmon As Harmon Worked With Dustin Johnson At The Range Before The Final Round Of The U.S. Open
The practice range has come a long way from when guys bunted bad Top Flites before going out to play. Now, each brand of ball is represented, so if you’re a Bridgestone, SRIXON, Titleist or TaylorMade guy, you get to hit your own brand of practice ball.
Most of the golfers are more relaxed on the range, as camera shutters don’t seem to bother them, friends and caddies gather around them and even the distraction of young television hosts wearing short skirts doesn’t seem to faze most golfers.
For television crews, it’s a chance to get some B-roll of the players for use later in their telecasts and for fans, it’s a chance to see their golfing heroes in a relaxed state.
It’s all part of the U.S. Open experience, even if that means trying not be distracted by Holly Sonders.
www.twitter.com/AlfieLau