Svoboda watches and waits
-
- June
- 12
Andy Svoboda knew this was the deal when he boarded a plane for San Diego as the second alternate into the U.S. Open. He knew alternates could only hit balls and putt, and could only walk the actual golf course.
Still, the Larchmont resident probably didn’t expect the experience to be so torturous. Imagine having a juicy steak placed right in front of you, but you weren’t allowed to take a bite. That must be what it’s like to be on site with your clubs at Torrey Pines and still not be able to play.
“I’m just dying to play a hole,” Svoboda said yesterday.
Even worse for Svoboda might have been the rumor floating around Torrey Pines yesterday. Sean O’Hair had just withdrawn, allowing Englishman Gary Wolstenholme into the field and kicking Svoboda into the top alternate spot. Then came word that Adam Scott had canceled a scheduled press conference, fueling speculation that the Australian was about to withdraw with a broken finger.
Suddenly the most remarkable of scenarios seemed a possibility: not only would Svoboda get a spot in his second U.S. Open, he would be paired alongside two blokes named Woods and Mickelson.
“Could you imagine that?” he asked. “That would be pretty insane. That would be pretty cool.”
Unfortunately, it’s likely to remain only a fantasy. Later in the day Scott representatives chimed in to say the canceled press conference was only a misunderstanding, and Scott would be on the first tee this morning.
And barring a last minute withdraw by someone else, Svoboda will be headed home without a spot in the Open.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, June 12th, 2008 at 6:52 am by Sam Weinman.
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