Andrew Landry is not scared to play against the PGA’s best.
He has been on the same golf course as Jason Day. The Groves native even said Day is a great guy.
Landry gets another shot at playing against the world’s best starting June 16 at Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh, Penn. when he participates in the U.S. Open.
He qualified for the four-day tournament this past week when he tied for fourth at a sectional qualifier in Memphis, Tenn.
“I can go in and just play golf,” Landry said. “Majors are different. Everything is a souped up version of a PGA event. There is more money, more points and more people. Everything seems like it is on steroids.”
Landry has split time this year on the PGA Tour and the Web.com Tour. He has earned $48,574 on the PGA Tour and has made the cut in four of 10 events. His best finish was tied for 51st at the Texas Open on April 24.
He has made one cut in three events on the Web.com Tour and has made $21,175. Landry’s best finish on the Web.com Tour is tied for sixth in April.
Port Neches-Groves graduate Chris Stroud and Lamar alum Shawn Stefani were the last Southeast Texas golfers to play in a major. The duo participated in the 2014 British Open with neither making the cut.
Landry had to sit and wait at the sectional qualifier to learn his U.S. Open fate as fellow golfers finished their final round.
“I saw on the internet I was tied for third after my round,” Landry said. “I decided to sit there and sweat this thing out. I had to wait about an hour. I wanted to turn my phone off because I was getting a bunch of calls and text congratulating me on qualifying. I have been doing this long enough to know sometimes things do not work out of you.”
Things worked out exactly how Landry needed them to.
“I am obviously very happy to make the U.S. Open,” Landry added. “I am happy but I am not shocked. I feel I deserve to be there. I needed this for my confidence.”
Oakmont has hosted eight U.S. Opens, the last coming in 2007. Angel Cabrera won the championship that year when Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods failed to birdie the 72nd hold to force a playoff.
Landry noted Oakmont plays long and forces players to drive the ball well all weekend.
“I look forward to Oakmont,” Landry said. “You have to drive the ball well and that has been my strength. I am not scared to play against guys like Day and Phil (Mickelson). All eyes will be on guys like that. You just never know because by the end of it all eyes could be on me.”
Landry is scheduled to play in this weekend’s FedEx St. Jude Classic held in Memphis. Play starts Thursday at TPC Southwind. Landry tees off at about 2 p.m.
•
Gabriel Pruett: 721-2436. Twitter: @PaNewsGabe