A Winning Approach
A long-time supporter of golf, Rolex has been the official timekeeper of the US Open for over 40 years and will once again reprise its role in 2021. Who will emerge champion at Torrey Pines?
At the 2020 US Open, Bryson Dechambeau was on track to win his first major title on the West Course of Winged Foot Golf Club in New York. But few got to witness the American golfer sink his 7-foot putt on the 18th and thrust his arms into the air to celebrate his maiden major triumph. The US Open organisers had to implement changes and safe distancing measures during the tournament.
“It’s been a lot of hard work. I’d also be remiss not to talk about my sponsors and the people who have affected me to make this all possible,” said the 27-year-old Rolex Testimonee after winning the US Open last year. “They’ve all been there supporting me through the tough times and the good times; they’ve been incredible for me.”
But when the 156-strong field tees off at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in California for this year’s US Open, from June 17 to 20, things will be back to somewhat normal. For one, the tournament returns to its usual spot in June after it was rescheduled to September last year. Fans will be allowed into the famous golf course too.
The return of the US Open to Torrey Pines this year is also significant. It marks the first time the oldest of the three US majors is being held there since former world No 1 and Rolex Testimonee
Tiger Woods dramatically edged out American golfer Rocco Mediate in 2008. (Woods, however, will not be participating this year as he recovers from the injuries he suffered in a car crash in February.)
HEIR APPARENT
The question on everyone’s lips: can Dechambeau defend his title with the power and speed he demonstrated last year? The golfer, affectionately known as “the Scientist” for his unorthodox and sometimes experimental approach to playing golf, has had a somewhat erratic year. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March but posted mixed
performances at the other tournaments he took part in.
Or will 2021 Masters champion and Rolex Testimonee Hideki Matsuyama from Japan win his first US Open title? His form has been on the ascent since the start of the year and if he sustains his good play and holds his nerves like he did at Augusta for the Masters in April, he stands a really good chance.
Other Rolex Testimonees to look out for at Torrey Pines include Americans Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, as well as Spaniard and current world number three Jon Rahm. Thomas had a brilliant 2020, putting in several exceptional performances. Spieth, on the other hand, has recently shown his brilliance on a more consistent basis and reminding people of his winning performance at the 2015 US Open with a score of 5-under-par. Rahm has also consistently achieved top 10 finishes in tournaments since the turn of the year.
LONG-STANDING SUPPORT
Over the decades, the US Open has been staged at the country’s most iconic golf courses including Torrey Pines, Winged Foot and Pebble Beach Golf Links. For the tournament to maintain its success and appeal, it takes more than just outstanding performances by the golfers on the fairways. Rolex’s sustained support for the fabled tournament started in 1980 and the 2021 edition will be its 41st as the official timekeeper.
The longevity of the relationship is the result of the common beliefs between the Swiss watchmaker and the tournament. These include the desire to uphold high standards, respect for history and legacy, and the “pioneering spirit in the quest for perpetual excellence”—rolex’s philosophy of constantly improving itself. Besides the US Open, the Swiss marque also serves as the official timekeeper for the United States Golf Association and is a partner of The R&A, golf’s worldwide governing authority.
The US Open is also very special for Rolex Testimonee and golf legend Jack Nicklaus, one of “The Big Three” alongside Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. In his playing career, he snagged the major four times—a record he holds in modern golf history.
Whether Dechambeau can retain his crown remains to be seen. (For the last 30 years, only American and fellow Rolex Testimonee Brooks Koepka has successfully defended his US Open title, winning back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018.) But one thing’s for sure, the eventual winner who overcomes the challenging Torrey Pines course will have to showcase excellence, precision and accuracy—the same qualities reflected by Rolex’s watches.