Highlights
U.S. Open 2023: Michael Brennan's magical week continues with crazy, creative hole out
As a first-time U.S. Open venue, Los Angeles Country Club has an air of mystery about it. But everyone agrees it's a course where you need a great short game to compete. And not just any short game, but a "creative" one as we heard from so many in the days leading up to the opening round. Well, it didn't see long to see why that's true.
Making his U.S. Open debut during Thursday's first round and playing the par-4 third hole, Michael Brennan displayed just the type of imagination around the greens that will serve players well this week. After missing the green, Brennan was left with about a 20-yard pitch—only he aimed about 20 feet left and long, landing his golf ball in the fringe and letting it trickle back to the hole. And it worked. Perfectly.
What a spectacular shot. And what a magical week it's already been for this rising senior at Wake Forest, who captured the ACC Championship in May. On Wednesday he got to play with his childhood idol, Rickie Fowler, who he dressed up as for Halloween a decade ago. And on Thursday, he pulled off a shot that even Rickie would be impressed by.
Not that we should have been too surprised. After all, Brennan is only in this field thanks to an insane up-and-down in a playoff at final qualifying.
The young man's got a great pair of hands. And now he already has a U.S. Open highlight he'll remember for a lifetime.