Michael Putnam Has a Home Field Advantage at the U.S. Open

us open michael putnam
Michael Putnam, who grew up a mile from Chambers Bay, talks at a press conference at the U.S. Open.
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By Gail Wood

oly ortho logoMichael Putnam hopes that his been-there, done-that perspective will give him the winning edge this week at the U.S. Open.

Seven years ago, Putnam played the first round of golf at Chambers Bay when the course initially opened, shooting a par 70. Not counting the last two week’s practice rounds, he figures he’s played about 30 rounds on the hilly links course. This week Putnam, who grew up a couple of miles from Chambers Bay, is hoping to cash in on that home-field advantage.

After his practice round on Monday at Chambers Bay, he walked up to the U.S. Open Trophy.

us open michael putnam
Michael Putnam, who grew up a mile from Chambers Bay, talks at a press conference at the U.S. Open.

“I took a look at it and realized this would be the best place for me to ever win a U.S. Open in my entire career, in my entire life,” Putnam said. “And I feel like I’ve got a good chance.”

Experience is gold on this hilly course. And in addition to Putnam’s familiarity of the course, he can rely on his brother’s experience. Joel Putnam, Michael’s older brother, has caddied 500 rounds on the hilly course with the fescue greens.

“He’s seen the good, the bad, the ugly with all the amateurs that come and play,” Michael said. “He knows the golf course.”

Putnam admitted, as the younger brother, he might even defer to Joel’s advice on what club to swing on a particular hole.

“I was kind of challenging him on a few things, on a few points,” Michael said and added with a smile. “But we were about 50/50 who was right and wrong on that deal.”

Being the hometown boy has some benefits, included a supportive crowd of family and friends. He’s also sleeping in his own bed. But there’s also a negative – coming up with tickets.

us open michael putnam
Michael Putnam has a home-court advantage with this week’s U.S. Open.

“They sold out in three days,” said Putnam, who qualified a week ago Monday in a regional qualifying tournament. “Once I got into the tournament, a lot of my buddies were counting on me for tickets.”

Putnam is now counting on those buddies to give him Seattle Seahawks-level support. Seahawk fans have a reputation for being the loudest in the NFL.

“I expect that energy to translate here at the golf tournament,” Putnam said. “Yesterday I played nine holes and got a lot of support.”

Putnam’s history with Chambers Bay goes way back. He remembers walking around the sandy dunes with his dad as a young boy, long before Chambers Bay was even built. His dad still walks around the course today. Putnam figured his home is about two miles from Chambers Bay. His parent’s home is about a mile. Now, Putnam brings his two children to a playground on the course.

“When we’re home, we come use the playground at least twice a week,” Putnam said. “We’re here a lot. We enjoy the park part of it and then every once in a while we go down to the golf course and play golf.”

In addition to the pats on the back by family and friends for qualifying for the U.S. Open, Putnam got a big congratulations from the church he grew up attending – Life Center in Tacoma. He also attend school there. At a recent Sunday night service at the church, Putnam was the guest of honor in a celebration party.

us open michael putnam
Michael Putnam shot the first round of golf at Chambers Bay when it opened in 2007. He went on to win the U.S. Amateur here in 2010.

“It was awesome,” Putnam said. “We had 400 or 500 people there. I got to sign autographs for people that have watched my career for a long time.”

The course has changed a little since Putnam won the U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay in 2010. But he still knows the course better than anyone else. He said holes 4, 5, 6 and 7 are a challenging stretch.

“Those are going to be brutal par-4s,” Putnam said.

And, Putnam said, hole 12, a par-4, 311-yard hole, is a bogey in waiting. Even though it’s drivable, its narrow fairway is tricky.

“It’s going to give guys a lot of headaches because you feel like standing on the tee you should make a birdie,” Putnam said.  “A lot of guys are going to come off that hole making bogey because of how crazy the green is and how tight the drive is.”

Putnam has told people that Chambers Bay is a second-shot golf course.

“With all the humps and bumps in the greens and how firm they are, if you can learn where your ball is landing and where it’s going to end up, it’s going to be a huge advantage to guys that just don’t learn the bounces of the greens” Putnam said.

The closer a golfer can land their approach shot to the pin, the better their chance of making a birdie.

“That’s going to be the biggest challenge of the week,” Putnam said.

 

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