Peter Cowen: Reflections on the US Open as dust settles on Rahm’s triumph
Gulf News caught up with No. 1 golf coach Peter Cowen as he came home from Torrey Pines
Jon Rahm was the deserving champion of last week’s US Open having had happy memories of Torrey Pines being a previous champion over the golf course and distance, although not in a major.
Rahm probably and ironically benefited from his automatic withdrawal from his six-shot winning position from The Memorial at Muirfield Village, Ohio, two weeks earlier. The now world No. 1 did not have the mental, physical and emotionally draining experience that winning an event involves. He seemed to instead have channelled his frustrations and energy into showing everyone that he was there to win last week and did just that. He had huge confidence and knew he was playing well.
Jon posted his 72-hole score in the clubhouse before the last few groups had finished, and it is arguably easier to come from behind to win, rather than to know what the target score is out on the golf course. I managed three players in the top seven in this third major of the year, so not a bad week for me.
Brooks Koepka played for an eagle on hole 18 and dropped a shot. He said afterwards he would make the same decision again showing his attacking personality.
Brooks is only interested in wins. He is at that level in the game of golf these days.
Rory McIlroy was unlucky after a decent last-round start but had no lie on the 11th in the bunker and he lost his momentum. Rory drove the ball well and is now in the mix at tournaments which is important and he will win again fairly soon.
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Branden Grace had another good week, but is exhausted and will next play in the Scottish Open next month. He needs a rest after a demanding yet successful 2021 season.
Ian Poulter looked set for an excellent finish on Sunday but he sadly had a disastrous last few holes to finish well down the field.
I am now back in Rotherham having to isolate at home for eight days according to England’s COVID-19 regulations.
The next tournament I am attending is the Scottish Open at The Renaissance followed by The Open Championship. Let’s hope I can travel to Scotland as the UK Government health rules seem to be changing regularly and on the side of caution.
I am not going to Japan for the Olympics and wish everyone all the best.
There is some gentle talk on the driving range of The Ryder Cup in September but the points at tournaments ramp up in the next few weeks so it will be more of a conversation piece post The Open.
My Rotherham driving range has been busy in my absence. We still cannot serve food and beverage but we can give golf lessons, sell buckets of balls. But there is no access to the clubhouse lounge for the players to relax and watch Euro 2020. We are restricted to selling Mars Bars, bottles of Coke and water to be consumed outside, so as usual we are so dependent of the weather in Rotherham, which is always a concern for us all.
It seems that Wimbledon is set to have decent crowds attending and we are looking forward to the decision on crowd numbers allowed at The Open at Royal St Georges. It seems that we all have to stay in designated hotels for The Open week to form a Tournament Bubble.
It has been a tough 15 months for the game of golf, for the business of golf and so much more.
I hear from my friends in Dubai that local golf is booming. Well done to all in Dubai, stay warm, safe, take care and looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Peter Cowen the World’s Number One Golf Coach has Peter Cowen Academies in Dubai at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Emirates Golf Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates and in Rotherham, England.