Stephen Ames of Canada hits a bunker shot on the during a practice round prior to the start of the 110th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 16, 2010 in Pebble Beach, California.Donald Miralle/Getty Images
Mike Weir didn't play at all Wednesday in advance of the first round of the U.S. Open, while Stephen Ames played only nine holes. By mid-afternoon, each was spending his time and energy on the practice green. The Canadians know that players will frequently miss the small greens with their approach putts, and that putting will be a key to posting a decent score.
"Archie's been helping me with my putting," Ames said of his putting coach Archie Altounian, who was keeping an eye on him. "My practice has been going really well."
A few feet away, Weir was working on his putting while his mental coach Bob Rotella watched. They worked for 10 minutes and then Weir hit a series of downhill putts while looking at the hole and not the ball.
"It's been going well," Weir said of his preparation. "I had Mike [Wilson, his swing coach]with me last week and we had five great days working on my game."
Ames has played eight U.S. Opens, and has recorded three top-10 finishes. He's 67th on this year's PGA Tour money list, with $732,866, and is ranked 67th in the world. Ames comes into the U.S. Open with some good form, having tied for 15th at last week's PGA Tour event in Memphis.
"I've been pretty consistent," Ames, 45, said. The Calgary resident said his tournaments have been for the most part three good rounds and one not so good. Then there's his putter, which has been off and on.
Altounian said he changed everything in Ames's putting game, including his grip and stance.
"I've had one good week with the putter and then the next one hasn't been as good," Ames said.
Weir, meanwhile, has been working hard on his swing. He's missed three of the last four cuts on the PGA Tour. The 40-year-old from Bright's Grove, Ont. has won $500,799 and is 99th on the money list. He tied for 16th when the 2000 U.S. Open was played at Pebble Beach, and has four other top-10 finishes in his 11 championships.
"I didn't know what was wrong," Weir said of his errant golf so far this year. "I was in search mode. But we've gotten to the root of what's going on."
Weir and Ames aren't the only Canadians in the field. Kent Eger, who was born in Saskatoon and lives in Regina, is also here and playing his first major championship. Eger, 29, was the 2008 Canadian Tour rookie-of-the-year. He turned pro in 2007 and won the next year on the Canadian Tour. Eger was the medalist in sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open when he shot 68-66 in Portland, Ore.
The Canadians will compete on a course players are almost to a man praising.
"It's a fair setup," Ames said. "It's not like when you miss a fairway that you have to chip out. It's been fun playing here because you have to hit so many shots and work the ball right to left and left to right to get into the small greens. They've gotten smaller over the years."
As for Weir, he's a Pebble Beach aficionado. He's nearly won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on at least a couple of occasions. He also played a lot last week rather than hitting balls on the range exclusively.
"I wanted to get on the course to see if I could bridge the gap," Weir said.
Weir knows his game is a work in progress.
"I'm feeling a lot better about my game, and I love this place," he said. "Maybe that and the work I've done will kick in. My expectations aren't that high, but maybe that's good in a way. I'll just go out and play. I'm not saying I couldn't be in contention. That could happen if I get some progress going."