Golf: John Parry ‘confident’ of mixing it with world’s best at US Open

Parry takes on the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickleson as he heads around the potentially “brutal” Chambers Bay Golf Club in Washington today in only his second appearance at a major tournament.

Memories of his astonishing four rounds at Merion Golf Club two years ago have been at the heart of preparations as the world number 466 bids to surprise the vocal American crowd.

“I feel good about my game so I’m feeling confident,” Parry told the Harrogate Advertiser Series.

“If you’re feeling confident about all parts of your game you’re always going to take it onto the course.”

Parry tees off today at 3.11pm (7.11pm local time) alongside American duo Jack Maguire and Joshua Persons, who he will share his opening two rounds with.

The trio will be the second group starting the course from the tenth hole, and with changeable weather expected on the west coast, an early start could play into the Knaresborough ace’s hands.

The conditions will offer a different proposition to when the 28-year-old last played the second major of the year - when he finished in a share for 28th at Merion Golf Club, Pennsylvania in 2013.

Like Merion, Chambers Bay will be unforgiving for any shots off the fairway.

However, the Washington course’s links style is uncommon across the pond and its severe undulations will present a unique task.

“I’ve heard some people say it could be brutal,” added Parry.

“There’s never been a US Open there so you don’t know what you’re getting.

“It’s going to be interesting. You’re going to have to hit a lot of different shots, which I quite like and you’re going to have to have some imagination.

“It could be one of those links tournaments where it’s all luck of the drawer, with it being on the sea.

“I know I can compete from the last US Open I played in, but it’s obviously a completely different style of course.

“They have never played a US Open on this style of course before.

“Even though it’s linksy, I don’t think it’s going to be like any golf course I have played before. All I can do is do as much preparation as I can and go in and have confidence and see what happens.”

Parry reached the tournament after passing through qualifying in Surrey last month and has since finished tied 21st and 50th in his last two events on the European Tour.

Ahead of his latest trip to the States, admitted he now feels he belongs amongst the top-ranked players in world golf.

He said: “I’m playing solid sort of stuff, nice and steady. I feel good about all parts of my game.

“The last couple of weeks have been good preparation for it, which is handy.

“But, it’s one of those things that you don’t know what you’re in for until you get there.”

Pick up a copy of the Harrogate Advertiser Series for a Big Interview feature with John Parry today.