Former Kansas State golfer Robert Streb looks forward to first U.S. Open
Robert Streb is having a memorable season on the PGA Tour, and he will add to his accomplishments this week.
Streb has qualified to play for the first time in the U.S. Open, which is set for Thursday through Sunday at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.
Streb had tried to qualify several times in the past before finally making it this year.
“It’s nice to finally get through,” Streb said. “I feel like I have been close before, but it will be great to play in my first U.S. Open.”
Streb had rounds of 69 and 68 in qualifying last Monday in Columbus, Ohio. That left Streb in a five-way tie for three spots, and he got one of them by making a par on each of the three playoff holes. Because of a rain delay, it was after 9 p.m. before the playoff ended.
“It was very dark,” Streb said. “The last hole the caddie had to tend the flag from 10 or 15 feet because I couldn't see the hole. Luckily I made my par and qualified.”
Streb’s 2014-15 PGA Tour season has been highlighgted by his first career PGA Tour victory at The McGladrey Classic in October. With that victory, Streb qualified for the Masters, where he missed the cut.
Streb has played better in recent weeks. He’s been in the top-20 in each of his last three Tour starts, including a tie for fourth last month at the Wells Fargo Championship.
The recent good play has Streb 12th in the current FedEx Cup standings and 16th on the season money list with $2,317,172 in earnings. He has finished in the top 10 in six of 20 starts this season.
Streb said two keys have been increased confidence and an improved putting stroke.
“It’s been going better,” Streb said. “I could be a little bit sharper, but I am playing a lot better than I was a couple of months ago.”
Streb said he has never seen the Chambers Bay course. He plans to leave today and get in practice rounds Monday through Wednesday.
Streb is hoping for a strong showing at the U.S. Open and a strong finish to a season tyat has been memorable on and off the course. Streb and his wife Maggie became parents on Feb. 3 when daughter Catherine was born.
“It has been a very good time for my family,” Streb said. “I want to get things happening with my golf game this year.
“And it is nice that my daughter can travel with us. That has been a blessing.”
This story was originally published June 13, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Former Kansas State golfer Robert Streb looks forward to first U.S. Open."