The 2020 United States Open Golf Championship began September 17 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York.  Winged Foot has two 18-hole courses, both of which are in the world’s Top 100 courses, according to golf.com.  Due to regulations as a result of COVID-19, this year’s tournament was different from those of previous years.  The tournament went on without spectators, and there were additional safety protocols, such as mandatory mask wearing for everyone except players and their caddies as well as obligatory coronavirus tests for each person who attended the tournament.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) postponed the tournament from June in accordance with regulations from the State of New York at the time.  Mr. Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York, was appreciative that the tournament could take place in New York as the number of cases has declined. 

“This event is a welcome sight for sports fans across the country and will help restore a sense of normalcy as we build back better than before,” Mr. Cuomo said, according to usopen.com. 

Members of the Sacred Heart Greenwich community watched the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) players take on the course, including Miss Karen Panarella, Sacred Heart Dean of Students and Head Varsity Golf Coach.

“It’s fun watching any of the major tournaments but, knowing it was at Winged Foot, a course I had the opportunity to play a few years ago, was great,” Miss Panarella said.

After 72 holes of strokeplay, Mr. Bryson DeChambeau claimed the championship title with a six-under-par score. Mr. DeChambeau majored in physics at Southern Methodist University (SMU), which helped him with his different game strategies.

“So many times I relied on science, and it worked every single time,” Mr. DeChambeau said, according to espn.com.

Mr. DeChambeau plays with the same length irons and large grips to ensure he swings each club the same.  He shot a 274 over the course of four days with his belief that the distance off the tee is better than ball placement. He currently hits his driver off the tee around 325 yards.  Mr. DeChambeau is now preparing to play in The Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia from November 12 to November 15. 

Golf is different from many other sports because of its pace and need for a good mentality.  Miss Panarella commented on the significance of the game.

“The game of golf is important because it’s competitive and its got a great spirit to it but, it also gives you time to take a breath,” Miss Panarella said. 

Featured Image Courtesy of Mr. Chris Keane