Stricker a blue-collar Erin-er

When veteran Steve Stricker was denied a special exemption to this week's US Open at Erin Hills in his native Wisconsin, he simply rolled up his sleeves and qualified the blue-collar way.

So determined was Stricker to play in the first US Open in his home state that he hit the practice grounds and then earned his spot in the year's second major by firing rounds of 67-65 during a qualifying event last week in Memphis.

"It's very exciting to be here," Stricker said on Tuesday. "I wasn't sure if I was going to make it, but I'm very excited and relieved.

"I worked hard to get here. Put a lot of extra effort in playing some extra tournaments. So all in all, it worked out for me."

The 50-year-old Stricker, a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour who ranked as high as No 2 in the world rankings, has pared down his tournament schedule in recent years and played just eight PGA events this season.

The US Golf Association respectfully declined Stricker's application for an exemption, even though the former Ryder Cup player is certain to be a crowd favorite playing in an event about an hour's drive from his home.

"I had more and more people come up to me and say, 'Hey, why aren't you in?' and pretty soon it became a little chip on my shoulder that I had to work a little bit harder to try to get in," said Stricker, whose wife will caddy for him.

Stricker said his hardworking path to the US Open, where he will seek his first major title, reflects the values of Wisconsin people in general and that he is happy about earning his place rather than having it handed to him.

And while he is hardly among the top contenders this week Stricker, who finished fourth at last year's British Open, said he is not letting that change his approach.

"I go into every tournament expecting to play well, and this is really no different," said Stricker, who will serve as the US captain at this year's Presidents Cup starting on Sept 28 in New Jersey.

"I'm going in trying to compete the best that I can and hopefully get in contention. That's my goal."

Reuters