Lee Janzen and the late Payne Stewart at Olympic in '98
Last Monday I spoke with ’93 and ’98 U.S. Open champ Lee Janzen, mostly about his win the last time it was held at Olympic.. It was especially cool because the next evening I was channel surfing and came across Golf Channel’s replay of the ’98 U.S. Open, where Lee overcame a seven-shot deficit to beat Payne Stewart by a stroke.
The full Q&A is at Golf.com, but here’s an excerpt:
What shot stood out to you most in ’98?
When people ask me what’s the best shot I ever hit, I tell them the Sunday second shot on 17, the 3 iron I hit onto the green, for all the circumstances. I doubled that hole Friday and Saturday from the fairway. Yeah, from the fairway. And it’s a hard fairway to hit. Sunday there I am in the fairway again, and it’s uphill, the wind was left-to-right, maybe slightly in. I carried a driver, 3 wood, 4 wood and then a 3 iron, so whatever yardage it was, to hit it onto the front of the green was absolutely the best 3 iron I could hit. And it was off a side hill, uphill lie, which isn’t great for guys that miss it their miss might be a hook. All that considered, it was as good a 3 iron as I could possibly hit. It landed right near the front, and it kicked and ran to the back of the green. I got it on the green and two putted for par, and that was the difference.
Now, Lee isn’t in the field for next week’s U.S. Open at Olympic, which is a shame. The USGA only gives a 10-year exemption to past majors and Lee is four years outside of that window. But he’s not just a two-time past champ — he won the last time it was at this venue. Personally, I think there should be an exemption for former U.S. Open champs who won at the host venue until they’re 60 (the British Open uses a system like this).
Lee played in the sectional qualifying in Memphis, but missed the playoff for the last spot by four shots.
The USGA doesn’t have black- and-white guidelines on its policy on doling out special exemptions. It uses its discretion. For example, it 2010 special invitations were given to Vijay Singh, winner of multiple majors but not the U.S. Open, and Tom Watson (out of sentimentality). Personally, I think Lee would have no problem making the cut at Olympic and could be competitive.
Check out the full interview here.
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(Photo by Getty Images/Craig Jones)
Really nice interview. Lee Jansen seems very unassuming.
@davechen… I have to agree with steven. I encountered Lee Jensen twice and on both occasssion he seem to go out of his way to be a prick. The last time I saw it up close and personal was at the 2009 US Open qualifying in Columbus. I followed his group for about 45 minutes and he was extremely rude to everyone. Including his playing partners, who at the time was Danny Lee (US Amateur Champ) and someone I can’t remember. Arrogate.
Saw the same thing in Memphis 10 years ago. Buddy of mine qualified on Monday, and was extremely complimentary of how nice everyone was on the range, etc… With the exception of Lee. He couldn’t get over how rude and arrogant he was.
you would think that Dave, I worked the Canadian Open 2 years ago, was a marshall on the 9th fairway, I marked Lee’s ball in the rough, he comes up, picks the flag up and THROWS it back at me..I was pissed, as a non paid volunteer I didn’t have to take that crap, didn’t say a word though, he hits, his caddy mouthed the words “thank you” even he knew how much of an asshole Janzen was to me..have no time for him now.
Four or five years ago I saw a segment on him on Golf Channel, working out. He looked like a professional gymnast. Maybe they are all in such shape these days, but I doubt it.
“I think that Lee would have no problem making the cut at Olympic”? Hmm, not so sure about that. So far this year, he’s made 5 cuts, missed 2 (including MC at Mayakoba, a second tier event), and he MC’ last 2 out of 3 events, one of which was on the Nationwide Tour. He did finish T2 at his last stop, which was also on the Nationwide Tour. Nice guy (or not), it would not seem likely that he would contend on what is being described as the hardest Open ever.
I can’t argue with most of the less than flattering commentary about Lee but one thing I do know is the harder the golf course, the more he thrives. I’m highly confident he would make the cut at Olympic and think he should have gotten an exemption. Unfortunately we’ll never know. Maybe his pissed off someone at the USGA at some point?
I’m hoping for a Massacre at Olympic Club to replace the Massacre at Winged Foot. Lets see the winner in the +double digits please!