June 2002

Tuesday June 4 - Purchase, New York
Great news after a tense day at the US Open sectional qualifying tournament. Following 36 holes at two courses, Brae Burn and Century Club, I made it through to the US Open at Bethpage. I shot 71 in the morning and 73 in the afternoon, which put me in a play off with nine other guys. We were playing for 4 spots and I eventually made it through after 3 holes. You could feel the tension out there as everyone was trying so hard to make it. It's a hard day for all the players as we were nearly all playing both courses blind and so were relying on yardages and experience. It was a long day and I am now back in New York City for a quick dinner and then bed. I will head out to Westchester on Wednesday for some practice for the Buick. It's great knowing I can base myself in New York for 10 days! Catch up with you later, Per

Thursday June 6- Buick Classic, 1st Round, 72 (+1)
I started horribly with two bogeys from the 10th tee but picked up my game a bit as the round went on. I managed a solitary birdie on the back nine and on the par 71 Westchester course finished at +1, 72. This is around the mark and I will need to improve to be playing on the weekend. I'm feeling good and hopeful for tomorrow's early morning. Jill is back on the road with me which is great and we are all planning to go to see Mamma Mia tomorrow night in New York City. It feels great to have made the US Open and I will probably stay out on Long Island rather than make the trek out on the infamous Long Island Expressway each day from the city. I hope to see some of you out there this weekend and also at Bethpage. Keep the entries coming for the competition. Last months winner was Todd Hansen from the USA. Well done Todd! Catch up later, Per

Friday June 7 - Buick Classic, 2nd Round, 77 (+6)
It was a long day today. After a five hour delay for rain, during which we all hung around at the club, I finally made it on to the course and proceed to miss the cut with one of my worst rounds of the year. I actually started quite well and after 5 holes was one under. Then I caught the bogey train and struggled to get off! Bogey on 7, double on 8, bogey on 9 and then three more on 12, 13 and 15 all compounded to make this a fairly miserable day. Jill and I plan on going into New York on Saturday and she heads back to Sweden on Sunday to continue the wedding plans. I will practice also and try to rediscover the feel that has eluded me for the last few days. I will keep you all posted with daily news from the US Open. Nick is coming over and with big crowds and a great course, it should be a fun week, and also a good one to play well! See you then, Per

Monday June 11 - US Open, Bethpage Black, Long Island, New York
I played the Black course here at Bethpage for the first time today. It was a gorgeous day on Long Island and I had fun with Jesper and Charles Howell III. We had a couple of spectators inside the ropes, my manager, Nick and my coach, David Leadbetter. David also coaches Charles and it was great to have him there observing all the elements of my game. In addition to these two there were thousands of fans - I don't think I have ever seen so many fans on a Monday. The course is fabulous! It is in fantastic condition, as you would expect, and it plays really long. With a par of 70 it has only two par fives and four or was it five par fours over 470 yards. the rough is about four inches and missed fairways will be costly. The goal this week is to keep the ball on the fairways. After the round we headed back to the hotel and I worked out before heading off to dinner with Nick and Jesper at a terrific restaurant, called Fredericks. Jesper's clothing sponsor, Johan Lindeberg joined us for pudding and coffee and certainly turned a few heads in conservative Long Island as he walked in. He strikes quite a figure with his wacky dress sense! Having played the course today I plan on playing only 9 holes on each of the next 2 days. Arriving on Monday it is important to pace myself, particularly in the oppressive heat and humidity. Thanks for all the emails of support this week. I'll be trying my hardest for a great week, Per

Wednesday June 12 - US Open, Bethpage Black, Long Island, New York
After practicing and playing 9 holes on the magnificent Bethpage Black yesterday we headed out into the country to the Golf Digest party. It was held at a French style Chateau and was a spectacular party. There were plenty of beautiful people there,and a number of less beautiful PGA golfers and industry people. The food, wine, setting and music were all great and it was fun to do something different during the week. Today Jesper and I played the back nine with Ben Portie and just managed to get in before the rain came down. Ben has just finished at Colorado and has done really well in only his second week as a pro to make the field. I wish him well - he is a really good guy. Tonight I had an early dinner after my workout. Tomorrow I tee off at 12.25 with Woody Austin and Pat Perez - you can keep track on USOPEN.com. Looking forward to getting started, Per.

Thursday June 13 - US Open, 1st Round, 78 (+8)
A long hard day at The Black today. I was out in an unbelievable 44 and back in 34 for a 78! My day started at 10 with a double and got worse with a triple on 16 and a double on 18. I was very proud of my recovery and in difficult conditions came back in one under to still have an outside chance of making the cut. I really didn't feel too bad on the way out, but the odd shot astray on this course and you can easily make a double or worse. After the round I went for dinner with friends before an early night in preparation for my early tee time on Friday. Catch up with after the round, hopefully with better news, Per

Friday June 14 - US Open, 2nd Round, 74 (+4)
Even after the tough day yesterday I only missed the cut by two shots in the end. Today I played better and dropped a couple on the front nine and a couple on the back. With four holes to go I was still in with a chance of making the cut( not that I knew that at the time), but made bogey on 15 and 16. I had reasonable birdie chances on 17 and 18 but couldn't make one. It was a really miserable weather day today and the USGA did very well to get all the players round. It rained ALL day and the course played so long. I missed the cut by a couple, although I thought I had missed by four after I had finished. Obviously a disappointing finish to a week that promised much and I will now head back to Sweden for a week off. Following play I practiced in the rain for an hour before heading back to the hotel. Tonight, Jesper and I are off to the movies to see The Bourne Identity. I'll report back to you later if we give it two thumbs up! Per

Monday June 17 - Stockholm, Sweden
I arrived back in Sweden today for the first time since the 2001 Scandinavian Masters. It sure feels good to be 'home' and to have the opportunity over the next 10 days to see family and friends. Jill has been so busy with the wedding plans and now it is my turn to lend a hand. We get married at the end of July in Sweden, prior to the Volvo Scandinavian Masters and we are both really looking forward to the day. I have had time to reflect on last week and take away from the week my ability to stick at it in the worst of conditions and from a near impossible position. (I was 9 over after nine holes!). Remember if you are playing this weekend in your monthly medal to keep trying hard. I said to some friends that if I have a 1% chance of making the cut I keep on trying - give it a go yourself, even if you make a double at the first! Catch up later in the week, Per

Sunday June 30 - Stockholm
The wedding plans are still going well and for those of you who have kindly enquired, Jill and I get married on July 27th in Stockholm. We are both really excited for the day. In the meanwhile I will try and shift my attention to the Scottish Open in 10 days time, then the British Open. I will then have a week off, followed by the Volvo Scandinavian Masters (what a honeymoon!) We are expecting friends from all over the world and it is going to be quite a party! I have had the chance to practice in the good weather this week and am looking forward to getting back out on the European Tour for a few weeks. It will be great to see old friends after spending so many years in Europe. It is a great Tour! I'll catch up with you later in the week, Per

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