James Nicholas finds himself in familiar territory, but he’s trying not to let excitement take over.
The 29-year-old from Scarsdale had his inaugural U.S. Open experience last year at Oakmont, where he managed a solid 1-under 69 in the first round, tying for sixth place initially. However, a second-round score of 78 left him at 19 over, finishing tied for 61st.
Now competing on the Korn Ferry Tour, Nicholas is setting his sights high for the upcoming three rounds.
He kicked off Thursday with a 1-over 71 at Sinekook, placing him tied for 29th, trailing the leader, Windham Clark, who sat at 6 under after 16 holes when darkness halted play.
“Last year at the U.S. Open, I started strong, but I struggled in round two because I was putting too much pressure on myself,” he reflected. “Everyone has expectations.” He continued, “I spoke with my mental coach, Joe Perron, about my fear of failure. It’s an ongoing struggle. You want to excel, yet once you’re in it, fear sets in.”
Nicholas aims to enhance his Shinnecock experience again in 2025 at Oakmont.
“Last year’s U.S. Open was an eye-opener, and this year feels even more special since I’m playing in my home state. It’s a dream come true to compete here,” he expressed on Thursday.
With family and friends cheering him on, Nicholas hit his first tee shot at 6:45 a.m. amidst the morning fog, calling it an “honor.”
“I always fantasized about hitting that first shot, and while it wasn’t my best, I made par. It gave me the energy to move forward,” he shared.
Interestingly, he began the round strong with birdies on the 3rd and 6th holes, even holding a brief 2-under lead before slipping with a double bogey on the par-3 seventh, but managed to stabilize throughout the remaining holes.
A former youth hockey standout, Nicholas had ties to Bruins player Charlie McAvoy, but eventually, he opted for Yale to pursue football and golf.
He has also carved out a niche as a photographer, sharing his global travels on social media and running a YouTube channel.
Waking up at 3:55 a.m. on Thursday, he wore Metaglass to capture the day’s moments.
“We want to show behind-the-scenes footage of the U.S. Open experience,” he said.
His father, Dr. Stephen Nicholas, has served as the Jets’ orthopedic surgeon for years, following in the footsteps of his father, James, who previously held the same role, famously repairing Joe Namath’s knee.
With a positive outlook, Nicholas sees this perspective as a strength in his gameplay. “Playing in the U.S. Open is huge for me, but it doesn’t define who I am,” he pointed out. “I’ve always been active in sports, be it hockey or football. I often missed out on hanging out with my friends, focusing instead on studying and competing.”
“As you age, your viewpoint matures. It’s just a game,” he acknowledged.
Yet he noted, “This is my dream, and it’s what I strive for.”
