Casas upbeat on US Open stint

Felix Casas of the Philippines endured a cross-country trek on Monday to keep his date with a historic appearance in this week’s US Open in Bethpage State Park, New York.

The big-hitting Casas, the first Filipino to tee-up in the US Open, is determined to reinforce the Asian rise in playing standards after making a late dash to the year’s second Major.

He joined the elite field as the first alternate following the withdrawal of Bruce Fleischer, the reigning US Seniors Open winner. Casas earned his alternate status after finishing equal fourth in last week’s sectional qualifying from rounds of 68 and 72.

Although he arrived in New York from San Francisco close to midnight on Monday after a seven-hour flight, Casas, armed with a new swing and confidence, was upbeat of his maiden Major appearance.

"I’m very excited to be in the main field. This is the first time that I’ve tried to qualify for the US Open and it’s great to be the first player from my country to play in the event. It was a kind of a rush to get to New York as I was told about my inclusion late on Sunday. I was in San Francisco when Asian PGA’s David Parkin contacted me with the good news and soon after, a US Golf Association official phoned as well," he said.

"After my sectional qualifying, an official told me that I had a very good chance of making it through. I checked my e-mails daily hoping for some good news from the USGA but nothing came. So when David called, it took me by complete surprise."

Casas’ late arrival meant he lost one day of practice at Bethpage’s Black Course, which is the longest in the 102 years of US Open history, but he was unperturbed, saying that his swing is in good shape.

"I haven’t been playing well and about a month ago, I decided to change my swing and golf clubs. I went to a coach in Manila and told him ‘I need a quick fix as I am trying to qualify for the US Open’ and we worked on several things.

"Previously, I was too much over the top on the back swing and we made some adjustments. It worked out pretty well in qualifying last week and I’m pretty confident with my game right now, " he said.

He added: "It’s nice to be only one of the few Asian players to tee up in the US Open. It is a good opportunity for us to show to the world that we can play some good golf – that will be my goal this week." He earned an exemption into the sectional qualifying by winning last year’s RP Open.

Casas’ entry mirrors the success of Asian PGA star Jeev Milkha Singh, who became the first player from India to qualify for the prestigious event.

Singh, who has four wins on the Asian PGA-run Davidoff Tour but is now a regular on the European Tour, is also playing in his first Major event this week. Korean Choi Kyung-ju, another Asian PGA product who has hit the big time on the US PGA Tour, is also in the star-studded line-up, headlined by world number one Tiger Woods.

After playing his first practice round at the Black Course, Singh labelled it a "monster."

"This is definitely one of the toughest courses I have ever played on. At 7,214 yards for a par-70 course, it is a monster. I honestly believe that a level-par score for four rounds might just be good enough to win the title.

"Apart from the length, and the fact that there are only two par fives which would restrict scoring opportunities, the entire set up is difficult. The fairways have been narrowed down and the rough is extremely thick."