Ames’s putting woes catch up to him
From a distance, Stephen Ames’s third round of the U.S. Open had a distinct give-up look. Not so, said the 48-year-old Calgarian, after bogeying the 18th hole for 79 to occupy dead last position among the 72 survivors of the cut at 16-over-par.
“It was all putting,” said Ames. “I was happy how I hit the ball.”
Well ... he did have 34 putts, which isn’t good. And he did three-putt three of the first six greens. But he also only hit six of 14 fairways from the tee, and six of 18 greens in regulation, and was 0-for-3 in sand saves, so it wasn’t really all putting.
Some of it was the Olympic Club’s Lake Course, which has been kicking the bejabbers out of the world’s best players all week.
Saturday, Ames — who has taken some swipes at golf administrators and course architects in the past — had no beef with Olympic, or its setup, but a day earlier he wasn’t happy with the United States Golf Association.
“Playing behind Tiger is really tough,” he said. “We stood up on the sixth hole, and we watched about 80 (media) people trample up all around the back edge of the green going to the next tee, and we’re like, ‘Please, there are other people playing in this event.’
“And it is, in some respects, the USGA’s fault for letting so many people be following him. But I mean, (it’s a) bunch of amateurs running a professional event, that’s what we’ve said for years.
“It’s no offence to Tiger or those guys, it’s the USGA not handling the situation properly.”
Putting the Woods-Phil Mickelson-Bubba Watson marquee together for the first two days guaranteed a circus.
“Even worse,” Ames said. “They knew they were going to have that. At least be respectful of the fact that there are 155 other players out there playing. That’s all we’re asking.”
Ames had his 12-year-old son Ryan with him for Saturday’s round. Asked what he wanted for Father’s Day, Ames didn’t get to answer.
“A win,” said Ryan. “He wants a win.”
“Oh, OK. Cute. Maybe next year, then,” Ames said. “A little far back right now.”