By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Andrew Beckler is hopeful that there will be many more U.S. Opens in his professional golf future.
But whatever happens down the road, the former Washburn Rural and Washburn University star will never forget the thrill of his first Open.
Former Washburn Rural and Washburn University star Andrew Beckler signs autographs Wednesday at Pure Golf Topeka for participants in PGT's Summer Junior Camp. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Andrew Beckler, who recently competed in his first U.S. Open, works with a junior golfer Wednesday at Pure Golf Topeka. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"It was just kind of above and beyond what I thought, just how well the USGA takes care of you and how well the tournament's run,'' Beckler said. "I knew it was going to be great but I didn't realize how awesome it is to be out there playing the U.S. Open. It was really special.''
The NCAA Division II national player of the year as a senior at Washburn in 2021, Beckler admitted that he had to fight through butterflies early in the week at the recent Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., but he said he got more comfortable as the week progressed.
"I think Monday was my most nervous, when I played with Dustin Johnson and Gary (Woodland) in a practice round,'' said Beckler, who was on hand Wednesday at Pure Golf Topeka to help out with the junior golf program. "I had never shot in front of that many people and it was just a hallway down the first fairway trying to hit your first shot, in a practice round. That was helpful to kind of get over the nerves that Thursday (the first round) was going to bring.
"Thursday I was going to be nervous just because it's the tournament and it's the U.S. Open, but I wasn't as nervous about all of the outside things. Thursday was more just emotional, that first tee shot. Getting to hear my name and Topeka, Kansas announced on the first tee was super cool.''
And Beckler, a former Class 6A individual and team champion, took full advantage of that rare opportunity.
"I smoked it,'' he said. "My first tee shot of the tournament I ripped it.''
Beckler struggled through a 8-over-par 78 in his opening round, but rebounded to post a very solid 71 on Friday.
"Friday I was a little more loose but I still wanted to go out there and prove that I belong out there and that this golf course wasn't going to just completely beat me up,'' Beckler said. "I think Friday's round was solid proof to myself, most importantly, that I can hang with those guys.''
Beckler didn't make the cut, but finished above 26 other players, including veteran star Phil Mickelson, and admitted that he did some score watching just to see where he was going to end up.
"I did my share, just to make sure I didn't finish in dead last,'' he said. "It was nice to see a few names underneath me. I was a little disappointed in the result, especially the first day. I kind of got in a bad funk out there and when you're not playing so great it's hard to score at the U.S. Open.
"It's punishing, but I was proud of how I fought back Day 2. I at least left with a decent taste in my mouth about my golf game. The second day was nice.''
Beckler, who is competing on the All Pro Tour, credited fellow Topekan Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, for helping him deal with everything Open-related.
"He was super encouraging, he was awesome,'' Beckler said of Woodland, who tied for 10th in this year's Open. "It was nice to have a familiar face there with me to kind of help settle me down. He was very, very kind to me and invited me back for multiple practice rounds. It made that week extra special.''
Beckler said he also learned some important lessons that he can use in the future.
"Playing with DJ and Gary three days in a row was eye-opening, just to see how hard they prepare for tournament rounds and the different things they do, how they attack the golf course, how they get ready for the speed of the greens and things like that,'' he said. "That was helpful to learn for my preparation and to remember that for the most part they're just normal guys out there playing golf.
"They just happen to be really, really good at it.''
