Strange Isn’t Concerned as Exemption Nears End

PINEHURST, N.C. —  It has been 10 years since Curtis Strange won his second consecutive U.S. Open . . . which was also his last victory of any kind. Not that he’s counting, of course.

Strange’s 10-year exemption as a former U.S. Open champion expires this year, but he thinks he’ll be back.

“Some people treat it like it’s the end of the world, but it’s been great,” Strange said. “I haven’t had to qualify for 10 years. I qualified well before that and I’ll qualify next year if I’m not otherwise exempt.

“It’s not a disgrace to have to qualify. It’s a disgrace not to try. And that’s terrible. I will be the first one in next year if I’m not otherwise exempt.”

Strange defeated Nick Faldo in a playoff to win the 1988 U.S. Open at the Country Club in Brookline, Mass., then won the 1989 Open at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y.

He has played Pinehurst enough times to know the best way to go about his business.

“Hit it on the fairway, hit it on the green, make putts,” Strange said.

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Fun with Jack: Since Jack Nicklaus played his first U.S. Open in 1957, there have been nine presidents. Only 52% of the people alive in the U.S. for Nicklaus’ first major are alive today, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Three-quarters of the players on the PGA Tour weren’t born when Nicklaus played his first major.

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Want to buy a corporate tent for the U.S. Open? They cost $125,000 apiece this week. A total of 50 were sold, totaling $6.25 million.

Want a U.S. Open in your town? Pinehurst officials estimate that the economic impact of the tournament from hotel and motel rooms, car rentals, meals and so forth will be near $200 million.

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When Ben Hogan won his first individual pro event at Pinehurst--the 1940 North and South Open--fans paid $1.50 for a ticket. A ticket for Sunday’s final round has a face value of $150--if you can find one.

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Greg Norman said there are at least 30 players with a chance to win this week, but mentioned only one by name: Jose Maria Olazabal.

“He’s got the creativity,” Norman said.

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Earl Woods was quoted in a story in Icon magazine as saying Scotland “is for white people” and that the country “sucks,” according to a report in Golf World.

Woods has denied making the remarks, but the author of the story in Icon, a men’s magazine published bi-monthly, told Golf World that she taped the conversation over the telephone and believed Woods was joking.

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Trey Holland, head of the USGA Championship committee, said there are no plans to change from starting all players at the first tee or for changing from an 18-hole Monday playoff.

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For what it’s worth, U.S. Open concessionaires expect to go through 40 tons of ice, 4,700 pounds of chicken breast, 4,300 pounds of hamburger, 3,400 pounds of roast turkey breast, 3,200 cases of bottled water and 2,700 cases of beer. No word about expected antacidconsumption.