Fred Funk hoping to bag US Open at the twilight of his career
With the Europeans on a rampage on both sides of the Atlantic, the Americans are crouching to regain the title to end the major drought the country has been facing for a long time. Among them, one of the players is not only the oldest in the field but is
also the one who is emotionally attached to the event. Fred Funk is 55-years-old, yet his passion and love for the sport and his reverence for Congressional is still young and juvenile.
Funk grew up in the neighborhoods around Congressional and made his debut at the very Blue Course which is the venue of this week’s US Open. Starting off his professional career in 1981, Funk is well aware of the fact that at his age of 55, this is perhaps
his last chance to win the US Open in his home town, in front of his family. Given the emotional attachment Funk has with the event, there is no saying that he might as well do it.
“The first question I get is, ‘What does this mean to you?’ And I broke down,” Funk said. “I didn’t really expect that because I didn’t know I had that kind of feelings, or emotion, in me for that. But I think it was a combination of things -- how I’ve been
playing the last few months, and then making it here, my hometown.”
Being the oldest player on a mission on the longest course is not a very encouraging combination, but Funk is far from being deterred with the conditions or the strong field contending for the top slot.
“Nobody knows how good they’re going to play, but I still have high expectations,” Funk said. “I truly believe I can still be competitive when I’m playing well and feeling good.”
Despite of being on the field for more than 30 years, Funk has not been able to bag a Major in his stellar career, which saw 20 professional victories around the world. Joining the PGA Tour in 1989, Funk won eight titles on the tour and six on the Champions
Tour. His best result for the US open came in 2004 when he finished for an outright sixth. He also finished tied for fourth in the PGA Championship in 2002.
Funk was barely hesitant to join in for the qualifying rounds of the US Open and went over to enjoy his round with his 15-year-old son Taylor carrying his bag. After qualifying for the field at US open, Funk went over to finish for a joint third in the Champions
Tour event.
Taylor will also be accompanying his father on the giant Blue Course at the US open and both father and son might be in for a delightful surprise on the final round on Sunday which is also the Father’s Day.
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