Aiming high

THE last time the US Open called in at Oakmont, it signalled the arrival of a world-class South African talent. Some 13 years later, could Trevor Immelman follow in the footsteps of Ernie Els and complete the transition from outstanding prospect to Major champion?

At 27, Immelman is three years older than Els was when he defeated Colin Montgomerie and Loren Roberts in the sticky Pennsylvania summer heat. But in terms of profile, potential and readiness, he is every bit the equal of his countryman over a decade ago.

His swing is elegant, classical and controlled. The putting stroke is generally sound. He is fit and strong. In terms of temperament, he never looks to be out of control. And he is both inteligent and articulate when dealing with the media, appearing just as comfortable as when on the golf course. This is not necessarily a prerequisite for success, but it does indicate a well-rounded character.

"All of South Africa knew him from when he was, like, six or seven, almost like a Tiger Woods," said Els. "He's always had the talent. He's always been a hard worker at the game. He looks after himself very well. He's definitely got the drive. So I can see things happening for him from now on."

The Immelman family are the most famous in South African golf - father Johan is the commissioner of South Africa's Sunshine Tour while older brother Mark is a teaching professional.

So, as Els, points out, Immelman was destined for great things from a young age. Equipment and clothing giants Nike recognised as much when they signed him up in the early days of a professional career that has to date yielded four victories, including, most significantly, a breakthrough win on the PGA Tour at last July's Cialis Western Open.

Having learned his trade, like so many of the world's finest non-American players, on the European Tour, 2006 was the first time he had devoted himself full-time to playing in the States.

"I felt very comfortable playing my first full season on the tour and when I started playing well I simply built on that confidence," he said. "I played in 23 events last year and I chose an identical schedule this year because I enjoyed the balance that was created with the tournament choices last year.

"The new calendar will make it feel like the players are playing more often but at the after the race for the Fed-Ex Cup concludes, it will give players the opportunity to take some time off or play around the world. I think that every player needs to sit down and figure out which tournaments are the best for your golf and what you would like to achieve in the upcoming year.

"It is a balance because you do not want to spread yourself too thin and you have to decide which tournaments you would like to support on the other tours. I found a system that I enjoyed last year and that worked for my golf game, so I have chosen the same schedule."

Immelman arrived in Chicago that week last July as, in most Americans' minds, just another young foreign hopeful, comparable with the likes of Justin Rose, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Camilo Villegas. In other words, they knew who he was but failed to take him too seriously, as is their wont, because his wins had not come in the USA.

And in the case of the three young Englishmen, it remains fanciful to expect any of them to capture one of the game's biggest prizes at a time when they are yet to claim a regular PGA Tour title between them. For Immelman, though, that status was to change in some style, as he held off a final-day surge by none other than Tiger Woods, who made four birdies in his first six holes, to win by two shots.

And it was not just the world No 1 chasing him home that day. Vijay Singh was the third-round leader and defending champion Jim Furyk were also in contention in an event that was once classed in the same bracket as the Majors.
No, it is safe to say that things have changed for Immelman since that day, both on and off the course.

"That was a major stepping stone for me to play in a tournament of that magnitude and play against such a great field and come down the stretch there with Tiger," he said. "It was fantastic for me to win that event. But there's been a lot of water under the bridge since then."

Within two weeks Immelman's wife, Carminita, gave birth to the couple's first child, Jacob Trevor. It prevented Trevor Senior from taking his place in the field at Hoylake for The Open and, purely in golfing terms, halted his momentum. However, having begun 2007 with a bang, finishing third at the season-opening Mercedes Championship and reaching the semi-finals of the WGC Accenture Matchplay, he has climbed to a career-high 12th in the world rankings.

Just like Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott, Casey and a few others, the next step for Immelman is to claim a Major - or at least threaten to do so, which is why his mediocre showing at the Masters, where he finished 55th, came as something of a surprise. In mitigation, he says that he is still learning what works best for him n terms fo preparing for, and attempting to peak at, certain key weeks.

"This is the first year that I have tailored my schedule around the Majors but as one of the young guys I am still figuring it all out. I am still learning what the right type of preparation is for me and a lot of that will come with experience. Looking at my schedule I believe that the ride I have chosen is good for each of the Majors.

"I think that any one of us (younger players) could step up and win a Major. It is a matter of experience and confidence but when the time is right, one of us will break through," says Immelman, who names Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia as the two Europeans he believes most likely to win a Major in 2007.

And why not at Oakmont, later this month, at a venue that has previously been kind to South Africans. Well, as ever, there is one rather compelling reason why not and that is one Tiger Woods, who will begin yet another Major as the overwhelming favourite. Even at Augusta back in April, when he was clearly far from his best, the 31-year-old was still only beaten by one other player.

Immelman, though, is refreshingly defiant on the subject of his Nike stablemate - even given the fact that it is one thing to talk a good game and another to play one when the heat is on.

"I am never worried about Tiger because I am focused on my game. If I am able to play my best golf, than for that tournament it is good enough."

And what of Montgomerie's theory that since Tiger claims, on average, two Majors a year, it means there are only two remaining for the rest of the field between them, thereby increasing the pressure and decreasing the number of opportunities?

"I do not agree with that because there are so many great players in the game of golf. It is a matter of going into a Major and playing your game and focusing on putting together your best golf. If Tiger wins one, two, three or even four Majors in a year it should not change the way you play your game or your mindset."