US Open: Every is Low Amateur, Moore Turning Pro
A Tribute to the late Payne Stewart
PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA (June 19, 2005) -- Playing in his first U.S. Open Championship,
the 21-year-old University of Florida first-team All-American outlasted eight
amateurs, including reigning U.S. Amateur champion Ryan Moore, to earn low-amateur
honors.
Every concluded his final trip around Pinehurst No. 2 on Sunday with an even-par
70, a score that bumped him up to a tie for 28th at 11-over 291.
"I had a lot of fun out there," said the Daytona Beach, Fla., resident.
"The whole week, really."
Moreover, on a week in which double bogeys blemished the scorecards of many
of the world’s best golfers, Every can boast that he played 72 holes without
one on his card.
"That’s probably what I’m most proud of this week," said
Every. "My irons into the greens this week, I missed on the right side.
And it showed, I guess."
He’s hoping that his performance at Pinehurst will bring him to the attention
of the USGA’s International Team Selection Committee as they look to field
the team of 10 golfers that will take on Great Britain and Ireland in the biennial
Walker Cup Match at Chicago Golf Club Aug. 13-14. With Moore and Spencer Levin
turning pro – Moore will do so this week while Levin turned pro at the
U.S. Open – Every remains as a strong candidate.
"I hope they’ll pick me now," said Every, adding, "We
won’t get stomped if they pick the right people."
He was referring to the three consecutive defeats the USA has suffered to its
competitors across the pond.
If anything, Every’s performance at Pinehurst will give him confidence
as he prepares for a summer of amateur competitions, including the U.S. Amateur
Public Links July 11-16 in Lebanon, Ohio, and the U.S. Amateur this August at
Merion Golf Club. He’s also looking forward to his final season at Florida.
"I think I can make a living out here right now, to tell you the truth
… [But] I’m not going to do that to my coach (Buddy Alexander) or
my team," said Every. "The [PGA] Tour will always be there."
In fact, Every’s college connections showed throughout the week. Former
University of Florida All-Americans Chris DiMarco, Nick Gilliam and Josh McCumber
all played at the 2005 U.S. Open. And Every said that Florida fans were out
in full force in the gallery this week.
"If I had a dollar for how many times I heard ‘Go Gators’
this week, I’d make more money than the winner," said Every.
Ready To Play For Pay
Finishing his last competition as an amateur, Moore is anxious to start his
career as a professional golfer.
"I’m ready to go," said Moore. "I’m looking forward
to it. It’s going to be fun."
This coming week Moore will hit the PGA Tour at the Barclays Classic in Harrison,
N.Y. The 22-year-old had put off his decision to turn pro, deciding to remain
an amateur in order to use the full exemption granted to the U.S. Open by his
U.S. Amateur victory last August at Winged Foot Golf Club. Now his pro debut
will take place just down the road from the 2006 U.S. Open venue at Westchester
Country Club.
While dreams of pro purses may have danced in his head, Moore still managed
to put in a solid-if-unspectacular showing at the Open this year, carding a
75-73-75-73 to end up tied for 56th (296).
"I just couldn’t find my swing all week," said Moore, who also
has an exemption into the Cialis Western Open and John Deere Classic. "I
was proud of myself, that I battled this course well enough to make the cut.
"Around the greens, it’s probably the hardest course I’ve
played. It’s a great, all-around test, though – you have to do everything
here."
Moore says that he will not change his approach to the game as he makes the
transition to the next level of competition.
"I play to win," the Puyallup, Wash., native said. "I play to
go out there and battle with the best players in the world. That’s the
fun for me. The paycheck is just a bonus."