While the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and fellow Australian Adam Scott take the limelight in the lead up to the US Open, Australia’s lesser-known stars believe they can surprise.
Masters champion Scott and Jason Day headline the Australian tilt at Merion Golf Club while former champion Geoff Ogilvy and Masters contender Marc Leishman are also commanding some pre-tournament attention.
But for Aaron Baddeley, John Senden, Alistair Presnell, Mat Goggin and Marcus Fraser the championship starts with them under the radar.
Senden earned his ticket with a top-10 in the 2012 US Open and while his results this year have slipped he still deserves consideration given his precision ball-striking and the premium placed on accuracy at US Opens.
“I have to think that this is a tournament that suits me,” said Senden.
“I feel like I’m one of the players who can win it and my result last year built on that confidence.
“It gave me the chance to know I can do it when it is a really tough test.”
For Baddeley, Presnell, Goggin and Fraser the road to Merion came through qualifying.
Fraser is playing just his second US Open but, at 29th on the European Tour money list, he’s no slouch.
Baddeley and Presnell are US PGA Tour members while Goggin is on the secondary web.com tour.
Baddeley’s recent form has slipped, with five missed cuts on the trot but he tweaked his practice and visualisation process just before being successful in the qualifier.
He famously led the 2007 US Open by two through three rounds before shooting a final round 80 to be tied 13th.
“I haven’t played that well the last few months but I feel I turned a corner,” Baddeley said.
“It’s right there. You can tell if you are just a week away or you’re not and I feel like the game is feeling good and this week could be a big boost.
“I love this sort of golf. It’s a character test as much as a golf test. You have to be patient, not perfect.”
For Presnell, his maiden year on the US Tour has been something of a battle.
He is looking to revive some of the 2012 US Open mojo where he contended heavily over the first 27 holes before finishing in a respectable tie for 29th after qualifying.
“It’s always exciting playing a major and the exciting Australian history here with David Graham winning in 1981 makes this even more special,” Presnell said.
“To be able to do what I did in the first 27 holes last year and then come back with a good fourth round to be in the top 30 of my first major was a huge confidence booster.
“I’m definitely thinking I am a chance of winning.”
Goggin returns to the majors after a near three-year hiatus and is quite happy to be under the radar to begin proceedings.
At 14th on the secondary tour money list he is likely headed for a return to the main tour in October.
