√ EXPECT TO BE NERVOUS
You'll be nervous, so embrace it. My first hole at my first U.S. Open was Congressional's 218-yard par 3 (No. 10) over water. There couldn't be a tougher starting hole.
I remember shaking a little, but I just went through my normal pre-shot routine and pulled the trigger.
I hit it to four feet, made birdie, and the next day I felt calm and wasn't really awed by anything. The more tournament rounds you play, everything improves: your distance control, focus and comfort level.
√ TREAT IT LIKE A NORMAL ROUND
My best advice is from 11-time PGA Tour winner and periodic practice partner, John Cook. He told me golf is just golf, no matter if it's a college event, a junior tournament or a round with your buddies--or the U.S. Open. It's all the same. You're just trying to get the ball in the hole with the fewest number of strokes possible. So treat as many aspects of the round as you can like you normally would.
√ PLOT YOUR COURSE BEFOREHAND
It's much easier playing from the fairway, especially in tournaments that have thick rough, tucked pins and fast greens. Before the round, I make sure I have specific lines off the tee so I know where I'm going to hit it. I want to make aggressive swings on somewhat-safe lines. The same goes for each approach shot, too, so I have spots to each hole location, and I know where to miss. That way I don't waste time, energy or strokes mid-round.
Cantlay, 20, was the low amateur at the 2011 U.S. Open and 2012 Masters. His 60 at the Travelers Championship was the lowest score on the PGA Tour last year.
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