Local Pro
Stockton’s Ricky Barnes hits the mark at the U.S. Open
by JEREMY FLETCHER
In making a run to remember at the 2009 U.S. Open this past June, Ricky Barnes stood toe-to-toe with Phil Mickelson, bested Tiger Woods, and etched his name in the record book with the lowest 36-hole score in U.S. Open history, firmly announcing himself in the biggest way since his 2002 U.S. Amateur victory.
After finishing runner-up at the U.S. Open, the question is not if he will ever get back there again, just how soon it will be. Always an enigmatic personality, the flashy, young star is now back, with goals for the upcoming year squarely in his sights. Talking with Ricky, it quickly becomes apparent that whether it’s Bethpage Black’s daunting U.S. Open course or just a game at Brookside Country Club, the same competitive streak fuels him.
San Joaquin Magazine: You step on to the first tee of the U.S. Open, with a one-shot lead, in the final round. What’s on your mind?
RB: Pretty much just ‘Let’s hit a good tee shot here’. Not many tee shots are easy ones, let alone on the first hole of the U.S. Open with the lead and huge rough left and huge rough right. I worried about the task at hand. My brother [Andy] and I were trying to pick out specific targets, and I remember there was a garbage can in the distance.
SJM: Speaking of the conditions, how much did it factor in to your preparation, having to stop and start and then playing almost two rounds a day?
RB: It was almost good and bad. I knew physically that my body could take it—USGA (United States Golf Association) events are really a mental grind. But where it helped was that you weren’t able to sit back and think about what was going on, because once I finished one round I felt like I only had about two and a half hours to tee it up for the next round.
SJM: You mentioned that your brother, Andy, caddied for you. Does he get in the mix a little more as an older brother than a normal caddy?
RB: Yeah, he knows when to step in more. I’ve probably played more golf with him than anyone else, and I think there’s something to be said that long-term caddies know their players so well and what they can do in certain situations. That’s always been our situation, and that’s probably why I’ve had a lot of success with him on the bag, at [the US Amateur], the Masters, and this Open.
SJM: So what’s the biggest thing you’ll take from the U.S. Open?
RB: Just learn from the experience. Enjoy that I was able to compete in a major, and I was that close to winning. I’m going to take it, learn from it, and walk down the fairways a little slower in the heat of the battle, and know that I can compete with these guys week in and week out. It just makes my hunger that much more.
SJM: You graduated from Lincoln High School, a Stockton native. How often do you get back to San Joaquin?
RB: Not as much as I’d like. My mom and dad are still there and a whole bunch of friends and family. I’d say about twice a year.
SJM: So who does your dream foursome include?
RB: Definitely my three family members. But if I have to go outside the box, I’ve always been a big Larry Bird fan. Would love to play a round with Larry Legend.
SJM: Favorite golf course?
RB: Probably Swenson Park [in Stockton]. (laughs) I’ve played Augusta in the Masters, so… Augusta, Spyglass, and the Australian. I love that course.
SJM: You step on Brookside golf course right now. What score do you shoot?
RB: (laughs) Depends on who I’m playing with and against. I expect every time I go out anywhere to be in the 60s. The last time I was in town, I played [Brookside] with a buddy and he threw five birdies and an eagle in there. We cleaned house on a few boys.
For more information: Visit www.usopen.com
