TACOMA, Washington 鈥� It鈥檚 been 11 years, but David Hearn has very vivid memories of Victoria.
How could he forget?
That was the season that the 35-year-old Brampton, Ont., native (who now resides in Brantford) first tasted victory as a professional golfer, 24 at the time.
鈥淎bsolutely, I remember it,鈥� Hearn said during preparation for his 7:44 a.m. tee time today in Round 1 of the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. 鈥淚t was my first professional win, so it was pretty awesome. That year, on the Canadian Tour, I was playing great and came close a bunch of times.
鈥淏reaking through there [2004 at Gorge Vale] gave me a ton of confidence going forward. I always loved playing there and I miss going there still, but it felt great to get that first victory.鈥�
A lot has happened between then and now.
He鈥檚 been a regular on the PGA Tour for the last five years and has made more than a million dollars in each of the last three seasons and is already at $831,248 in 2015, with a pair of top 10s.
He鈥檚 still looking for his first win on the big tour, having finished second in a playoff at the 2013 John Deere Classic. He lost to current Masters champion Jordan Spieth. Former Masters champ Zach Johnson was also in that three-way playoff in which Hearn had not one, but two glorious chances to win.
But that was then and this is now as he prepares to play his fourth U.S. Open. He finished tied for 21st two years ago, the first time he made the cut.
鈥淚 feel like my game is good right now. It鈥檚 been a bit up and down this year,鈥� said Hearn, who is one of just two Canadians here, along with Ottawa鈥檚 Brad Fritsch. 鈥淚 feel like it鈥檚 been hit or miss, but I feel like I鈥檓 ready any week now to break through and have a really good one.
鈥淚鈥檓 starting to put together a good foundation where I think I can put together a bunch of good weeks in a row. My game feels really close and, yeah, you probably hear a lot of that from pro golfers, but that鈥檚 what it feels like for me right now,鈥� he added.
鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 a timely putt or an up-and-down at the right time that keeps your round going that makes the difference in a good week or a bad week. I feel like I鈥檓 hitting fairways and greens consistently and if I keep doing that and give myself chances, the putts are going to go in.鈥�
Hitting fairways and greens will be crucial at Chambers Bay where Hearn will face British links-style golf, like he did at The Open Championship at Hoylake last year, where he was tied for 32nd.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a real challenge and there鈥檚 no way anyone is going to learn what they need to know in two or three days [of practice], but it鈥檚 going to be fun getting out there and learning some shots,鈥� he said of Chambers Bay. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a real unique U.S. Open.
鈥淟ike any U.S. Open it鈥檚 a patience game,鈥� said Hearn. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a marathon, so it鈥檚 a matter of trying to find out where you can take your chances and make some birdies.鈥�
