Tired Canadians finish up at U.S. Open

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – They were all a little tired and, for the most part, happy to be finished the U.S. Open.

After a busy week at home, the three Canadians who made it to the weekend at the American national championship were running on fumes after taking on one of the most difficult courses of the year.

Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Hadwin and Adam Svensson were among the early starters on Sunday, wrapping up their work before the leaders teed off. None of the trio was able to break par on a course that was getting faster and firmer by the minute.

Hughes had the best final round of the three, making a birdie on the final hole for a one-over-par round. That left him in a tie for 50th. His day included two other birdies along with four bogeys.

Although the final score and finishing position might not show it, the Dundas, Ont., product was pleased with his play

"This year, or these last six months, have been really challenging,” admitted Hughes. “I've had bright spots but I'd say my game has been more up and down than I'd like. This week I made some big strides and I felt like I saw some things I was really happy with. I feel like I've got some momentum now and I'm looking forward to the rest of the year."

For much of last year and this, Hughes has been focused on hitting the ball farther. But that’s now given way to finding a better rhythm with his swing. He said he’s been trying to swing more like the syrupy Corey Conners and find more accuracy.

“Hitting it hard and hitting it in the rough doesn’t help you a lot,” he stated. “If I can hit two more fairways a round over the next six months, I’ll be doing good.”

Hadwin finished the week at 11 over, following a round of 75 on Sunday. He was struggling most of the week at being able to take his game from the range to the course.

“I’m happy to be going home,” he joked. "There's a lot of disappointment this week. I felt like I was primed for a much better week than this.

"I had a great warmup once again but there's a disconnect between what's happening on the range and what's happening on the golf course. I hit some good shots and it was nice to get a couple birdies today but I just didn't have it this week.”

Svensson, playing in his first U.S. Open, admitted that his train derailed in the middle of his round on Sunday after a good start to the day.

"I was playing well there for a little bit then kind of lost the swing,” he stated. “I'll figure it out and move on. I feel like my attitude was great. I kept grinding even though I was at the bottom. Just trying to figure out something for next week and hopefully the next major will be better.”

Svensson has played the first three major championships of the season, missing the cut at the Masters and logging a tie for 40th at the PGA Championship.

"The more I play these the more I'll learn to navigate around tough golf courses and get better from there,” he said.

As with many other players, the Canadian golfers commented on the atmosphere at the Los Angeles Country Club. The U.S. Open is usually full of boisterous fans, who make their presence felt. This year, it’s been much quieter and bordering on sedate.

Part of the problem is that there are fewer good viewing areas such as a large grandstand around the final hole. That’s not possible due to the closeness of tees and greens.

“Getting everyone in there by the 18th green, jammed in there, that’s kind of what creates that cool atmosphere, the amphitheatre style,” said Hughes, using last week’s RBC Canadian Open for comparison. “I’m really curious to see what they’re going to do later on today because it could be a little anti-climactic if there’s a putt to win and there’s no one there close enough to the green to see it.”

“It was different,” added Hadwin. “This place is really difficult because of the way the golf course is laid out and the fans move through the course. Last Friday, Saturday at Oakdale, I thought the crowds were really good. It was an easier walk and an easier watch. There are a lot of holes out here where spectators are 30, 40 yards away from the actual hole and sometimes they can’t even see the putt. I think it takes away from how the U.S. Open is usually like.”

Hughes and Svensson will play next week at the Travelers Championship, one of the PGA Tour’s designated events, while Hadwin will head home to a week of rest and return at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit.