Setting the tempo of play is key when it comes to playing a championship. David Toms set the tempo for the field to follow after Round 1. Steve Stricker noticed what Toms had done before him and he matched him. Toms and Stricker shot a round of 62 on the Par 70 course, which tops the leader board at -8. These two powerhouses are going to force the rest of the field to keep pace or be left behind. When the sticks are in the air, you know it’s “GameDay” and there is nothing better.
David Toms
David Toms took to the course at 9:03 Thursday morning with Miguel Angel Jimenz, Jeff Wilson (amateur). They started from the 10th tee. Toms stumbled a little bit on the back nine. He birdied 10 hole, the went par on 11, bogey on the 12th, birdie on 13 and then bogey on 14. Toms finished -2 on the back nine.
On the second leg of the day, Toms came into the front nine, and taking the nostalgia of Notre Dame to heart. He played to the Notre Football motto ” Play Like A Champion Today.” Toms birdied six of the nine holes to finish the day -8 with a very strong round of 62. Despite the struggle on the back nine, Toms still managed to set a single round championship record with 10 birdies.
Dave Toms Post Round Press Conference
Media question for David Toms: I guess you’re probably a big fan of this course and Notre Dame right now?”
David Toms response: “Yeah, I mean, like I’ve said before, I didn’t really appreciate what Notre Dame was all about until you come up here and you see it all. I went to dinner, my girls went to Chicago yesterday, so I was — I had dinner by myself and there are college kids everywhere where I was eating and felt a lot like Baton Rouge in that regard, and I love being there, too.”
“Yeah, just a neat experience to get to do this. The golf course is fantastic. It’s all in front of you. You know, you just have to pick and choose where you can be aggressive because you can get in a bad spot and can’t make par.”
“Obviously today I got off to a — the round today is a great start. I’m going to have to keep it up, and if the course dries out a little bit and firms up, greens firm up, birdies will be hard to come by, and I’ve just got to go out there and just be there on every shot.”
Steve Stricker
If anyone can keep pace with David Toms, Steve Stricker is the man for the job. Stricker played in the threesome that include legend Colin Montgomerie and Rocco Mediate. This was the threesome that everyone was told to pay attention to. Steve Stricker took control of this threesome early as he had work to coming of the first tee. Stricker birdied the 1st and 5th hole, bogied hole 6 and birdied the eighth and ninth hole to shot -3 going out.
On Strickers back nine, he had everything going as well. Birdies on holes 10,11 and 13 his best act was yet to come. On the Par 5 514 yard 15th hole, Stricker shot and eagle to put him at -8 to tie Stricker. On the Par 4, 459 yard 18th hole, with a chance to go to a low round score of 61, Stricker missed and holed out for par to remain tied with Stricker.
Where Does Toms and Stricker Start On Friday
In the world of golf, Friday is moving day. Friday is the day you chase the leaders and attempt to make the cut for the weekend. Dave Toms threesome will tee off at 2:28 PM from the 1st tee. Steve Stricker will have the opportunity to make David Toms work as Stricker’s threesome will tee off at 8:41 AM from the 10th tee.
Information From The USGA
UPDATED FAN TICKET OPTIONS
Fans will be able to purchase tickets at a special twilight rate after 3 p.m. for the remainder of the championship. Tickets will be available at the Main Entrance.
Ticket options include:
- Gallery – General admission to the grounds of the Warren Golf Course, and access to public grandstands. Price: $30
- Irish Club – Includes general admission plus entry to the Irish-themed shared hospitality structure featuring 180-degree views of the 17th hole, indoor/outdoor seating, club lounge, a shamrock shaped bar, and big screen TVs. Upgraded food and beverage options available for purchase inside the Irish Club. Price: $55
TIM BROWN AUTOGRAPH SIGNING
Notre Dame legend and Heisman trophy winner Tim Brown will be signing autographs for fans in the Merchandise Tent located at the Main Entrance beginning at 10 a.m.
WATER POLICY
In anticipation of temperatures in the 90s, the USGA has revised its U.S. Senior Open Championship water policy to address heat-related issues. Starting on Thursday, the following measures will be in place to facilitate fan hydration for the championship at The Warren Golf Course:
- Two (2) clear, unopened water bottles of 24-oz. or less will be permitted through championship admission gates
- Complimentary refill stations will be available throughout the course
Fans are encouraged to prepare for hours in the sun by applying sunscreen, wearing a hat, using a sun umbrella and seeking shade through the warmer afternoon hours. Fans are permitted to bring sunscreen in 3-oz. containers.
FAN PARKING REMINDER
Public parking will be located at White Field. Directions to White Field are as follows:
North (from Michigan): Turn left onto Douglas Road from State Road 933. Follow the signs to the public parking lot
South (from South Bend): Turn right onto Douglas Road from State Road 933 Follow the signs to the public parking lot
East / West from the Indiana Toll Road – (I 80/90)
- Take exit 77 toward IN-933/US-31/South Bend/Notre Dame
- Continue straight onto Douglas Road
- Follow the signs to the public parking lot
Championship traffic has access along Douglas Road from State Road 933 to reach White Field. No through traffic on Douglas Road from Ironwood Road to the Indiana Toll Road entrance/exit from Thursday, June 27 to Sunday, June 30. We recommend finding alternate routing during the week unless you will be attending the championship.
ROAD CLOSURES
Road closures will be in place from Thursday, June 27 through Sunday, June 30 from 6:00 a.m. until close of play (approximately 8:00 p.m.) each day. We recommend avoiding this side of campus throughout the week it you are not attending the championship.
Road closures will be located at:
- Douglas Road and White Field Entrance (Closed to through traffic. Fans will have access along Douglas Road from State Road 933 to White Field to reach the public parking lot)
- Juniper Road and Pendle Road
- Moreau Drive and Douglas Traffic Circle
- Wilson Drive and Stepan Drive
- Twychenham Road and Bulla Road
- Douglas Road and Ironwood Road
- Douglas Road and Ivy Road
- Burdette Street and Mc Erlain Street
- Willis Street and Mc Erlain Street
Go Irish and Golf Like A Champion Today ☘⛳⚡