Weather conditions just like 1992, recalls Kite

Conditions at Erin Hills yesterday were reminiscent of the final round of the 1992 US Open at Pebble Beach.

Former Ryder Cup captain Tom Kite carded a closing 72 to win by two shots from Jeff Sluman, with 20 of the 66-man field shooting in the 80s to contribute to a scoring average of 77.2.

“It looks as though the weather conditions are going to be a lot more challenging today at Erin Hills,” Kite said yesterday.

“I don’t see it turning into a situation that gets out of control, like people saw in 1992. Even though it will be difficult, I don’t anticipate this being a bloodletting.

“My concentration was so good that day that I caught myself immediately every time I began to think ahead. Their minds are going to wander, to drift off to thinking about ‘what happens if I win the US Open’.

“Everybody knows that it’s a cliche, but you really do have to stay in the present tense. The guys who do a really good job of that today are going to have a chance to win.”