Jordan Niebrugge embraces first U.S. Open in home state of Wisconsin
TOWN OF ERIN - The applause given to Jordan Niebrugge after a dialed-in iron shot that landed feet from the pin on hole No. 4 of Tuesday’s practice round will pale in comparison to the reaction he’ll get on Thursday morning.
At 6:45 a.m., in an all-Oklahoma State Cowboys threesome, the Homestead High School alum and Mequon native will be first off the No. 1 tee in the first pairing at the first U.S. Open held in Wisconsin.
“It’s pretty special,” Niebrugge said. “To be getting the chance to play for my first U.S. Open, and it’s here, that’s a really cool thing.”
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As he steps onto the Erin Hills first tee, Niebrugge doesn’t think his nerves will be any different than they are on the first tee of any tournament. Even if this one is a major.
What will his thoughts be as he sets up to the 608-yarder?
“What’s my line? What’s the wind doing?” Niebrugge said. “It’s about committing to the shot just like every other tournament I’ve ever played.”
This past weekend, Niebrugge played in a tournament on the Mackenzie Tour in Canada. He tied for 34th at the Bayview Place Cardtronics Open. The week before, prior to qualifying for the U.S. Open in Tacoma, Wash., Niebrugge tied for second at the Freedom 55 Financial Open.
Niebrugge said he felt good about his game as he arrived at Erin Hills on Monday morning. A familiarity with the course can't hurt, either. Not only has he played the course more than 10 times growing up, but he's also had success.
In 2013, Niebrugge won a qualifier for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship at the course. In 2015, the former All-American tied for fourth in the Erin Hills Intercollegiate hosted by Marquette University.
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Later that year, Sergio Garcia played with Niebrugge in the final round of the 2015 British Open. On Tuesday, Garcia spoke about the 23-year-old.
“Hopefully he can keep playing well and have a good week here,” Garcia said.
Steve Stricker added: “Jordan's got a tremendous amount of talent. He's in that next wave of really talented, young players. He hasn't quite made it out here on Tour yet, but I think some day he will.”
This week, Niebrugge is out with the best of them and he has one goal in mind.
“For me, it’s all about having fun,” Niebrugge said.
