Bland out to enjoy monster US golf course (From Daily Echo)

Bland out to enjoy monster US golf course

6:30am Tuesday 16th June 2009 in

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RICHARD Bland has set his sights on making the cut in his first ever US Open this week.

Southampton’s European Tour pro will compete against the world’s very best in the second major of the year after winning a place through international qualifying.

The Stoneham golfer is in New York preparing for the test of the notoriously tough Bethpage Black course.

Bland is determined to enjoy the experience, but also has his eyes set on making it through to the weekend.

That would provide a huge boost to his confidence, not to mention his season earnings.

“I would like to make sure I play four rounds,” he told the Daily Echo.“I don’t know what the exemption is to get back there next year. If I could manage that it would be an unbelievable achievement. But first and foremost I’m going out there to enjoy it. I’m going to try and enjoy it, play four rounds and bring back good memories from it.

“Even if I play poorly I just want to try and enjoy it, because it’s not the sort of thing I play in every week.

“If I can play four rounds great, then anything after that is a big bonus for me.”

Bethpage State Park’s Black course is famed for its difficulty. When it held its first US Open, in 2002, Tiger Woods was the only player to shoot under par for the tournament.

Full story in today's Daily Echo