Struggling US Open Player George Duangmanee Records 35-Strokes Over Par Performance - Not as Disappointing as it Seems
Stepping onto the Golfing Giant: George Duangmanee's U.S. Open Debacle
Earning a spot at the U.S. Open is no small feat, especially given this Major's reputation as the hardest test in golf. Young gun, George Duangmanee, proved his mettle by battling his way through local and final qualifying rounds, securing his maiden Major Championship appearance.
The 23-year-old PGA Tour Americas player found himself squaring off against the crème de la crème and the tough-as-nails Oakmont Country Club. Known for its grueling courses and conditions, Oakmont tested Duangmanee to the core.
Qualifying with rounds of 68 and 67, Duangmanee trampled seasoned pros such as PGA Tour winners Kurt Kitayama, Nick Hardy, and Brandt Snedeker en route to his Major debut. However, at Oakmont, Duangmanee's magic evaporated, as a disastrous 16-over-par first round was followed by another tough 19-over-par second round.
In his chase for par, Duangmanee tallied 15 bogeys, 7 doubles, 2 triples, and a single par, closing out the championship at a hefty 35-over-par. To put things into perspective, even a pro with a 0.0 handicap would play off 8 at Oakmont under normal conditions - tough as nails, indeed!
Learning from the experience, Duangmanee shared his intentions to observe the routines, warm-ups, and strategies of top-ranked players, stating confidently, "I'm really positive about just being here and excited for the confidence I can get from it."
The NCAA Championship 15th-place finisher in 2024, Duangmanee jumped from collegiate to professional ranks, making his PGA Tour debut at the Myrtle Beach Classic. Despite a strong start with rounds of 68 and 71, he stumbled over the weekend, posting back-to-back 75s. Nevertheless, it marked one of Duangmanee's best performances, as he primarily competes on the PGA Tour Americas circuit, where he had to battle his way in via Q-School.
Facing the daunting challenge of competing against the best golfers in the world, Duangmanee acknowledged, "Just making it here was a big accomplishment for me. It proves that what I'm doing, the hard work I'm putting in, is paying off." Ambitiously looking forward, he is excited to compete against the elite and aim higher in golf's most prestigious tournaments.
- Oakmont Country Club is recognized for its challenging layout and harsh conditions that often leave even the best of golfers humbled.
- George Duangmanee struggled with inconsistency and high scores under major tournament pressure, recording a 35-over-par total.
- Adapting to the rigors of elite competition proved difficult, but Duangmanee hoped to learn from the experience.
- Qualifying success in the U.S. Open did not seem to translate to major tournament performance during his debut.
- Transitioning from college golf to professional golf likely added an extra layer of complexity to Duangmanee's challenges at the U.S. Open.
- Despite its notoriety as the hardest test in golf, Oakmont Country Club challenged George Duangmanee to the core during the U.S. Open.
- Amid the crème de la crème of professional golf, George Duangmanee's maiden Major Championship appearance resulted in a 35-over-par total.
