Preparation for the U.S. Open

Right now, my focus is on sharpening my skills. Competing at this level is intense, and having previous experience gives me a slight edge. The players I’m up against may not have been in the same situations as I have. It’s a kind of comfort, really. The more recent my experiences are, the better I’ll perform.

The U.S. Open, though—now that’s different. This tournament is notoriously tough, and in the days leading up to it, we start to grasp just how challenging the course will be. You know, it’s often believed that maintaining a respectable score is enough to stay competitive, but then you hear of someone finishing at eight under par, and it makes you reconsider your strategy. As I practice, I feel good, but I’m also aware of my limitations. If I manage to play the perfect round, it’s likely I’ll still need to adjust to the evolving course conditions.

Yet, even at the U.S. Open, it resembles a regular tournament in that the goal is to aim for a low score. Preparation is largely similar to any other week, but the practice rounds can be tricky. You see, many players may not have had the chance to play the course before, which can complicate things. For me, tackling all the holes in one go during practice isn’t practical—it can wear you out before the actual tournament. Mental and physical energy is key, and conserving it is vital.

If you’re cramming to get ready for the U.S. Open, chances are you’re not setting yourself up for success. I feel my game is in good shape. It’s just a matter of adjusting some minor details to maintain consistency. I’m focused on that this week, but, honestly, if by Tuesday afternoon things don’t click, finding that rhythm can be tricky. So, leading up to the event, I prefer to ease into my preparations, hitting my targets early on.