Many of the players in the 2008 U.S. Open field have fond memories of playing the South Course at Torrey Pines during their days as amateurs.
And five players discovered at an early age what it feels like to win there.
David Toms, Tiger Woods, Pat Perez and Anthony Kim all won Junior World Championships in the boys 15-17 age group at Torrey. South African Trevor Immelman won a U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship title on the course.
In one way or another, their experiences and comments then remain relevant today:
David Toms, 1984
Toms opened with a 71, then shot 67-68 before a final-round 74 for a 280 total, beating the tournament record by four strokes. His second-round score tied a tournament record.
“I just wanted to keep the ball in play,” said Toms, of Bosier City, La. “I didn't plan to go out and shoot a record. Maybe I played it too safe in the final round, but it got me here and I'm happy as I can be.”
Added Toms: “Winning here means everything to me. I felt OK, (but) not as calm as I looked.”
Eldrick Woods, 1991
Still listed on the leaderboard by his given name – tournament officials finally called him Tiger the following year – Woods made a name for himself in San Diego long before this victory.
“Even when he was 4 years old in tournaments, he loved (the pressure of) playoffs,” said Kultida Woods, Tiger's mother. “He would stick out his chest and smile after winning.”
There was no need for a playoff on this occasion.
Woods' sixth Junior World title – and only one at Torrey Pines – came after a final-round 69 for a 286 total, giving him a three-stroke victory over San Diegan Chris Riley.
“It's awesome,” said Woods, although the youngster from Cypress said his 1984 championship in the 10-under division was more special because it was his first title.
Pat Perez, 1993
Perez went 69-71-69-69 for a 278 that gave him a three-stroke victory, two shots off the tournament record.
“I felt pretty confident about every shot, every putt, all week,” said Perez, a Cardiff resident whose daily routine included playing nine holes at La Costa before teeing off at Torrey. “I felt kind of iffy about winning after the third round, but today I was really playing strong.”
It was the first victory by a local golfer in 15 years.
Perez, who finished 15 shots behind the winner the year before, learned lessons about taming his temper – and Tiger. Woods finished eight shots back in fourth place.
Of his temper, Perez said: “It's called maturing, I guess. I didn't get mad this year. I'd get a little disappointed. But I tried to get over bad shots right away, and I did.”
On winning against Woods: “I was really confident coming in. This is great for one thing because it proves I can beat Tiger. He's beatable, and I never knew that.”
Trevor Immelman, 1998
Immelman finished second to Kevin Stadler at the 1997 Junior Worlds. He was back at the South Course a year later, winning the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in stunning fashion.
Immelman's opening round included birdies on six of nine holes. A birdie at the 10th hole finished off his opponent 9-and-8. No one had accomplished that feat in 44 years.
“I believe it gave me the confidence for the rest of the matches to know that I can go out there and make birdies,” said the then-18-year-old Immelman.
He trailed in only of one of his six matches, winning 3-and-2 in the 36-hole finals.
“It was the best golf I've played in my life by a long shot,” said Immelman.
The victory gave Immelman an automatic berth in the Masters the following year.
“I'm at a loss for words right now,” said Immelman. “Going to Augusta is unbelievable in itself. You dream about things like this.”
He realized another dream 10 years later, putting on a green jacket as the 2008 Masters champion.
Anthony Kim, 2001
His tap-in birdie on the 18th hole gave Kim a final-round 72 for a 278 and a two-stroke victory.
“I'd never been in this position before,” said the then-16-year-old Kim of Studio City. “I didn't know what to expect.
“It's a huge relief getting my first win. This is going to do a lot for my confidence.”
Kim, one of the PGA's rising young stars, won his first tour event last month at the Wachovia Championship. So he has that going for him.
And, like the others, he has a Torrey title, too.
Kirk Kenney: (619) 293-1825; kirk.kenney@uniontrib.com
