Former Owensboro Catholic Ace John Augenstein has done a lot since getting to New York on Saturday for the U.S. Open at Winged Foot, including playing a practice round with a fellow Kentucky native and Tiger Woods.
Augenstein teed off Thursday morning from the 10th tee and when his round finished, he sat at 4-over. He is currently tied for 92nd.
He said he felt normal when he walked to the tee with his group as he played with Martin Kaymer and Jimmy Walker.
“Things were very normal, very comfortable,” he said. “I didn’t feel any different than any other time. I could even make the case I felt a little more comfortable. I felt like I was very control in what I was doing and especially physically. Physical things kind of give you mental confidence so knowing I’m in a good spot and dialed in for the week, gave me a lot of confidence going throughout the day.”
While the Vanderbilt standout said his round wasn’t as good as he’d have liked, there’s still room to improve going into today’s second round.
“I played pretty well up there,” he said. “I couldn’t get too many putts to drop but I hit it great. A lot of positives to build on for sure for tomorrow. Probably get a little better pace on the greens and if I get a couple of putts to drop tomorrow, we’ll be just fine.”
Leading up to Thursday, Augenstein said he played several practice rounds. On Tuesday, he played with Woods and Justin Thomas.
“It was great,” he said. “Being able to play with Tiger Tuesday was awesome. That’s what every kid dreams about … After the first couple holes, it was very normal. He was doing his work, I was doing mine. It was cool to see, it was cool to be right there and just see some of the things that he was doing … It was a great learning experience and I’m sure I’ll get to do it again, I hope so.”
He said the biggest thing he took away from playing with Woods was his strategy and the way he carries himself on the course.
Augenstein was familiar with his other practice partner, as he’s friends with the fellow Kentuckian and leader of the tournament at 5-under.
He said Thomas has helped him a lot during his career.
“He’s served as kind of a mentor for me and he always is so helpful with questions that I have,” he said. “Whether it’s professional golf or things I’m working on, things he’s working on. Whether they’re struggles or successes, he’s very supportive and very helpful. Having a guy like that that’s young, we have similar personalities, similar competitive nature. We’re kind of on the same level mentally of what we’re trying to achieve in this game. He’s just great and he’s been so helpful.”
Augenstein tees off at 12:43 p.m. EST in the second round of the U.S. Open at Winged Foot.
