Different Strokes: Cameron Young closing in on tournament win
A matter of time, surely, for Cameron Young to crack the code and finally win a tournament.
Young's recent form – with two timely top 10s in last month's Truist and last week's RBC Canadian Open – has marked an upturn evident in moving into the top 60 in the world rankings but also in securing his place in the season's final two Majors, this week's US Open at Oakmont and next month's 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.
In his 89 starts on the PGA Tour since turning professional, after a standout collegiate career at Wake Forest, where Dubliner Paul McBride and Will Zalatoris were team-mates, Young has finished second seven times.
'My game is in totally different shape than it was a couple months ago. I've come a very, very long way on execution of all the iron play, in particular. I've been putting really well this year. So nice to see that kind of come back to me. Seems to be giving me some decent chances to have nice tournaments,' said Young, on a run of five straight cuts made, who'd earned his place in the field at Oakmont in the final qualifying stage.
READ MORE
Dentist Matt Vogt eyes US Open dream
It's Kevin Costner Field of Dreams stuff for Matt Vogt, the 34-year-old dentist who once upon a time caddied – through his teenage years – at Oakmont Country Club and now gets to play in the US Open.
Vogt negotiated a path to the championship through local qualifying and then at final qualifying (wisely choosing the low-key Wine Valley course in Washington, away from the PGA Tour pros who battled it out in Ohio and Canada) last week.
Vogt will play with a dark-blue ribbon attached to his Titleist cap in memory of his father Jim, who died earlier this year from colon cancer. 'I've just spent so much time praying for strength and trying to find it ... I knew I could do it,' he said after he successfully earned his spot in the field, one of 15 amateurs to make it through the various exemptions.
'I feel like I'm going to wake up from a dream here in a little while and this isn't going to be real, but it is real. You walk around Oakmont as a kid, and you think about what it'd be like to play in championships there. You just kind of daydream,' added Vogt, who will be back in his dental practice next week. For now, he's living the dream.
Outlook seems stormy for later rounds at Oakmont
Will the weather be a spoilsport at Oakmont?
Certainly, those in the know have put a major question mark over the chances of completing the weekend's final two rounds of the US Open on schedule with the prospect of thunderstorms in the Pittsburgh area.
According to on-site Thor Guard meteorologists Eric Garlick and Jake Swick, there is only a minimal chance of disruption through the opening two rounds (with a 20 per cent chance of rain on Friday afternoon) but the weekend looks likely to be impacted by thunderstorms.
On Saturday, there is a 40 per cent prospect of rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon; and an almost identical forecast in place for Sunday's scheduled final round.
Monday finish anyone?
Word of Mouth
'I feel like I'm still pretty far away from winning one' –
Joaquin Niemann
, the 26-year-old Chilean who has dominated the LIV Golf tour this season, his win in Virginia on Sunday bringing to four his success rate so far this year, on bridging the gap to also winning a Major.
By the Numbers: 11
Of the 156 players in the field, 11 have previously lifted the US Open trophy: Wyndham Clark (2023), Bryson DeChambeau (2020, '24), Matt Fitzpatrick (2022), Lucas Glover (2009), Dustin Johnson (2016), Brooks Koepka (2017, '18), Rory McIlroy (2011), Jon Rahm (2021), Justin Rose (2013), Jordan Spieth (2015) and Gary Woodland (2019).
Social Swing
Ryan Fox's pace of play is aspirational! – fellow tour pro
Michael Kim
impressed by Fox's, er, speed. Others could learn a lesson or two.
Great tournament, great people, disappointing finish ... Thank you Canada @RBCCanadianOpen –
Shane Lowry
on getting into contention only for a poor finish to ultimately finish tied-13th and in decent form headed into the US Open. Lowry ranked third in strokes gained: approach to green, a likely key statistic category at Oakmont which augurs well.
Note to self ... don't do mirror putting work in the middle of the day #nofilter –
Justin Thomas
seeing the funny – or even sunny – side of his practice putting routine at Oakmont.
Ryan Fox's win in the RBC Canadian Open earned him a late exemption into the US Open. Photograph:In the Bag: Ryan Fox (RBC Canadian Open)
Driver:
Srixon ZXi (10.5 degrees)
3-wood:
Srixon ZXi (16.5 degrees)
Irons:
Srixon ZXiU (2), Srixon ZXi5 (4, 5), Srixon ZXi7 (6-PW)
Wedges:
Cleveland RTZ (50, 56 and 60 degrees)
Putter:
Ping Answer 2D
Ball:
Srixon Z-Star XV
*Ryan Fox's playoff win over Sam Burns in the RBC Canadian Open earned him a late exemption into the US Open. The Kiwi's second win of the season on the PGA Tour moved him from 75th to 32nd in the official world rankings. In all, six players – Fox, Doug Ghim, Takumi Kanaya, Chase Johnson, Riki Kawamoto and Eric Cole – were added to the field to complete the 156 players competing at Oakmont.
Champions at Oakmont
2016:
Dustin Johnson (Won by three strokes over Shane Lowry, Jim Furyk and Scott Piercy)
2007:
Angel Cabrera (Won by one stroke over Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk)
1994:
Ernie Els (Won in a playoff against Colin Montgomerie)
1983:
Larry Nelson (Won by one stroke over Tom Watson)
1973:
Johnny Miller (Won by one stroke over Tom Schlee)
1962:
Jack Nicklaus (Won in a playoff against Arnold Palmer)
1953:
Ben Hogan (Won by six strokes over Sam Snead)
1935:
Sam Parks Jr (Won by two strokes over Jimmy Johnson)
1927:
Tommy Armour (Won in a playoff against Harry Cooper)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
6 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Jannik Sinner to release duet with Andrea Bocelli
World number one Jannik Sinner is to release a duet with famous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. The song, Polvere e Gloria (meaning Dust And Glory), features three-time grand slam champion Sinner repeating parts of his winning and losing speeches, which he recorded at Bocelli's studio in Tuscany. Sinner said: 'I am very happy and honoured to be part of this project with Andrea, who for 30 years has been a unique and extraordinary voice, a flag for our country in the rest of the world. Jannik Sinner in action at the US Open in 2024 (Alamy/PA) 'I could never have imagined hearing my voice in one of his songs. It's extremely moving.' The track will be released on June 20 and features both Italian and English lyrics. The accompanying music video features personal and archive images from the duo's childhoods, along with scenes filmed as they collaborated at Bocelli's estate. Andrea Bocelli sings alongside Claudio Ranieri to celebrate Leicester's Premier League title win (Nick Potts/PA) Sinner is the first Italian to top either the men's or women's singles world rankings in tennis. Bocelli began his career in 1994 and has performed at major events across the world including the Olympic Games and the World Cup. He performed while stood alongside Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri as the Foxes celebrated their Premier League title success in May 2016 and also sang out the show on Gary Lineker's final Match of the Day appearance.
Irish Examiner
11 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Rory McIlroy trails by two as Scottie Scheffler holds share of lead
Rory McIlroy made an impressive start to the Travelers Championship to sit two shots off the lead, before world number one Scottie Scheffler later laid down a marker to defend his title in Connecticut. Masters champion McIlroy had finished tied for 19th at the US Open over a punishing Oakmont course – but ended the weekend on a positive following a three-under-par final round, which was the joint best of the day. The Northern Irishman – who saw his driver ruled as 'non-conforming' ahead of last month's PGA Championship before then missing the cut at the Canadian Open – had been looking to build some momentum at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell as focus turns towards the Open at Royal Portrush. Rory McIlroy made an impressive start in Cromwell (Jessica Hill/AP) World number two McIlroy landed a birdie at the second and then sank two more ahead of the turn at the final PGA Tour Signature Event of 2025. After picking up another couple, a further birdie at the 17th – from the best part of 30 feet having hit a fine recovery shot out of the rough and over the water onto the green – saw him finish six under with 64 to sit in a tie for second, two shots behind early clubhouse leader Austin Eckroat. American Eckroat hit a fine eight-under round, which included an eagle at the par-three 13th and a sixth birdie at the 18th. Scottie joins Eckroat atop the leaderboard with a 62 (-8) of his own!👏 — TravelersChamp (@TravelersChamp) June 19, 2025 Scheffler was one of the late starters paired alongside newly-crowned US Open champion JJ Spaun – who unlike his playing partner endured a perhaps expected tough round to finish three-over following successive bogeys on the closing two holes. There was, though, no such trouble for Scheffler, who never looked back after three birdies from the opening four holes. The American – who landed a third major title with the PGA Championship crown at Quail Hollow during May – then picked up an eagle on the 13th and another birdie at 15, before a bogey at the 17th was the only blemish on his eight-under 62. McIlroy's playing partner Keegan Bradley is also at six-under, having dropped a shot at the 12th, alongside Wyndham Clark, the 2023 US Open champion. 'Overall it was a good start to the tournament, and I think when you're in a two-ball like that and we can sort of feed off one another a little bit too, that's nice as well,' McIlroy said after his opening round. 'I just want to see some good golf and see some better shots. I think if you concentrate on that and you are concentrating on your quality of golf and concentrating on just trying to play to the best of your ability, the result will take care of itself. 'There's no point in thinking about the result right now. I'm just trying to play as good as I can and make good swings, and if I do that enough, more than likely I'll find myself in a position to have a chance to win.' England's Tommy Fleetwood carded a first round of 66 to sit in a group tied for sixth. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, runner-up at Oakmont on Sunday, finished one over following a double-bogey six on the 17th. Jordan Spieth WD during the first round of the Travelers Championship with a neck/upper back injury. — PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) June 19, 2025 Jordan Spieth withdrew during his first round because of a neck/upper back injury. 'I may have just slept wrong and then something came along. I don't know what caused it,' he said. 'I think it was just a random one-off that unfortunately got worse and bad enough on a Thursday that I didn't feel like I could continue.'
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Tennis ace Kei Nishikori who was caught cheating on wife with model apologises days after withdrawing from Wimbledon
TENNIS star Kei Nishikori has issued a public apology after reportedly cheating on his wife with a model. Nishikori, 35, has struggled with persistent injury throughout the season and was thus forced to withdraw from both the French Open as well as Wimbledon. 3 Kei Nishikori issued a public apology after reportedly cheating on his wife with a model 3 Nishikori has been married to wife Mai Yamaguchi since 2020 3 Nishikori has allegedly been having a year-long affair with Azuki Oguchi Just two days after his withdrawal from the Championships the Japanese star addressed matters outside the court regarding his personal life. According to Japanese outlet , the World No61 is alleged to have had a years-long affair with model Azuki Oguchi while being married to wife Mai Yamaguchi . The reported infidelity was uncovered after the former World No4 was photographed visiting Oguchi's apartment last week in Japan. Nishikori issued a "deep" apology to his wife and two children - aged four and one - as well fans, tennis chiefs, sponsors and other related parties. Read More on Tennis The ex-US Open finalist also stated his plan to focus solely on the sport while being a "responsible member of society". Nishikori said: "I deeply apologise for causing discomfort to everyone who supports me: tennis fans, associations, sponsors, and other related parties, and for their concern and inconvenience due to my dishonest behavior. "Additionally, I deeply regret making my wife and children feel hurt. "Moving forward, in order to fulfil my role as a responsible member of society, I will focus solely on tennis competitions and achieving results. We will do everything possible to regain their trust." Most read in Sport Nishikori and Yamaguchi - also known by her nickname Ako Mizuki - married in 2020, which was five years after their relationship started. Shukan Bunshun add the tennis star first met Oguchi in 2022 when they met in Honolulu, Hawaii. He's very lucky' - Tennis star's racket almost flies into Queen's Club spectator in shocking scenes A year later, Oguchi was alleged to have been confronted by her then-boyfriend over the affair. The unnamed partner also spoke to Nishikori after finding out about their relationship, it's been claimed. The outlet adds the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist hired a lawyer in order to mediate and avoid a public scandal. Nishikori's relationship with Oguchi came to an end shortly after but allegedly resumed last year when he told her he "no longer loves his wife" and that they are solely together for the sake of their children.
