Magnificent Phelan finds a touch of magic at Merion
The quietly spoken 22-year-old, who has lived in Florida since he was nine but still speaks with a clear Waterford drawl, opened with an impressive, one-over par 71 at the storied Philadelphia venue.
That was two strokes better than three-time major winner Pádraig Harrington or Spain’s Sergio Garcia, who shot 73, and four lower than US Ryder Cup star Keegan Bradley (77).
Now he knows he must follow it up with another good round and seal what appears to be a certain call up for September’s Walker Cup matches against the US in New York.
An Irish international, who will tee it up in the Irish Open at Carton House in two weeks, Phelan went into the event determined to make up for his disappointing performance in the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach, where he sensationally qualified but missed the cut after rounds of 83 and 75.
“I think the experience of playing at Pebble Beach has definitely helped me since then,” said Phelan, who pre-qualified by winning his sectional qualifier in Florida earlier this month. “I learned a lot that week about staying patient.”
“Everyone there told me to stay patient and not get over aggressive,” said the world amateur No 39, who hopes to turn professional and try the Q-School on both sides of the pond later this year.
“But I was a bit too eager and aimed at too many flags. I’ve learnt my lesson from that and will play more conservatively at Merion this time and just take it one shot at a time.”
He picked up his first birdie of the day at the tough 15th and then had a 10-footer for birdie at the 16th for a share of the lead but narrowly missed.
The 243-yard 17th proved to be no problem to the plus four handicapper as he came up short on the apron but hit a 20-yard putt up a steep slope to just a few inches and tapped in for par.
A bogey at the tough 18th, where he three-putted after leaving his 60-foot birdie putt 10 feet short, was only a minor setback.
He bounced back straight away with a birdie at the short, par-four first but three putted the fifth from 30 feet, coming up eight feet short before dropping another shot at the 237-yard ninth.
Phelan was bitterly disappointed not to make the 2011 Walker Cup side but having played for captain Nigel Edwards in the GB&I side in last year’s St Andrews Trophy at Portmarnock, he’s regarded as a hot tip to make the Walker side this time around.
However, focusing too much on making the trip to the National Golf Links of America on Long Island in September is a mistake he’s keen to avoid.
And while he’s inspired by Rory McIlroy’s feats, he planned to take a leaf out of the book of “role model” and 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell and patiently plot his way through Merion and a busy summer and hope he’s done enough to merit a call up.
“At Pebble Beach I set myself the target of making the cut and put too much pressure on myself.
“I’ll just set myself the goal of trying to shoot the lowest score I can at Merion without worrying about positions or making a cut. I’ll just go out and play the game and enjoy it for what it is.”
His strategy paid off as he impressed the 25,500 capacity crowd with his cool under pressure.
Early leader Phil Mickelson pointed out, Merion was more of a beast than many imagined.
After making five birdies and still shooting a one over 71, Ian Poulter agreed.
“Yeah, I always knew this golf course was going to throw birdies at you, and I always knew this golf course was going to throw some bogeys too,” Poulter said.
“No one is going to get around this golf course without making mistakes. You have to manage them really, really well so put yourself on the board with a good score.
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