Jim Furyk. (Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO — Graeme McDowell was trying to be complimentary when he said to have success at a U.S. Open you have to play “Jim Furyk golf.” When asked to explain, it took him some time to find the right words.
“I don’t like the word ‘plodder,’’’ McDowell said. “It’s kind of a little bit disrespectful.’’
Truth is, Furyk doesn’t mind being called “a plodder.” In fact, he considers it a compliment, especially when it puts him atop the leaderboard as it has done after two rounds of the 112th U.S. Open at the Olympic Club.
Call him what you want, but Furyk has been one of the few to finish the first 36 holes in red numbers. A 1-under par 69 yesterday, coupled with an even-par 70 on Thursday, had him at 1-under for the tournament and tied for the lead with Tiger Woods and David Toms going into today’s third round.
So go ahead and call him a plodder. He doesn’t mind, especially when it comes to dealing with the difficult setup at the Olympic Club.
“I think the way the golf course is set up, that’s pretty much what you need to do,” Furyk said. “Get the ball in the fairway or in a playable spot as best you can, get the ball on the green or in a playable spot as best you can and try to make four.
“I’m just trying to plod,” he added. “I think it’s a good word. You take what the course gives you and play the best you can from there.”
That style of patient, precise play helped Furyk win the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields for the only major championship of his career. It also served him well yesterday.
He made three birdies on the day, two on par-3s at the third and 15th holes, and could have added a couple more. He missed a 15-footer for birdie at the par-4 10th, and narrowly missed a birdie at the par-4 18th.
At age 42, Furyk said he is confident he still has what it takes to win another major.
“I realize that the window’s not wide open anymore,” he said. “I have a lot more good years behind me than I probably do ahead of me, but I still feel like I’ve got some game. I’ve got some more tournaments to win. And I’ve always said, we’re judged by the number of events we win and by the number of major championships we win.
“It would be a blessing for me to get another major championship under my belt. And I feel like in the next few years I have the opportunity still to be able to do that.”
It might even come in the next few days.