Robert Rock revealed fatigue had finally caught up with him as his incredible US Open Championship rollercoaster continued with a level par 71.
The Englishman landed his first European Tour title at last week’s BMW Italian Open, but then endured visa problems and only arrived at his hotel at 3.30 on Thursday morning – after spending 1,000 dollars on a taxi from Newark Airport.
Without a practice round at Congressional Country Club, the 34 year old still managed a one under par 70 in his opening round and continued to be well placed on his tournament debut.
Ten behind runaway leader Rory McIlroy, Rock was inside the top ten after reaching halfway with a 141 aggregate total.
“I ran out of energy after nine holes to be honest,” he said. “I played well on the front nine but didn’t get much out of it. I didn’t really hole any putts today but I played well. I took three from the edge on 18 which was disappointing and I felt every bit of energy disappear and I thought it was going to be a battle after that.
“That nine was very scoreable too so it was a shame. I couldn’t get the shots to go normal distances - I just didn’t have it in me. I was trying to play cautiously and just plodded it round. It was a shame, but that happens when you have the build up I’ve had, this week and last week. Last week took a bit out of me.
“It’s a shame it happened here but I got through the nine holes ok and I’m one under for the tournament which is ok but I feel like I should have got through the second nine in two or three under. I knew I’d run out of energy at some point today. Just the interest and adrenaline got me through yesterday. When I woke up this morning I felt ok but not with a full day energy there, so I’m going to rest this afternoon and hopefully have some more for tomorrow.”
Asked how he had slept last night, Rock replied: “Nine o’clock I was fast asleep. It didn’t take me long!
“Last week was the best putting week I’ve had ever. But I’m one under and I feel I should have been six or seven. Rory is playing some wonderful golf and has shown us all how scoreable this course is. It shows if you are not scared of it and play the course for the course’s sake rather than thinking ‘this is the US Open, it’s meant to be difficult’ then you can do well.
“The weekend will be different I’m assuming. The greens got a little fast as the sun came out - they’ve got a funny surface to the top of them that looks smooth but they are soft. Down grain putts are really quick but you can put your irons in the right place because the greens are soft. That’s what Rory’s doing - he’s giving himself easy putts and he is smashing them in.”
