EAST MOLINE, Illinois - As a general rule, experience is thought to be a major factor in any golfer's success in major championships.
Reigning John Deere Classic champion Mark Hensby has proven to be the exception.
Playing this year for the first time in both the Masters and the U.S. Open, Hensby posted two top-five finishes.
At Pinehurst last Sunday, the native Australian who emigrated to the Chicago area in the early 1990s finished in a three-way tie for third at the U.S. Open with Sergio Garcia and Tim Clark. Hensby shot rounds of 71-68-72-74 - 285, good for a 5-over par total, and picked up a check from the U.S. Golf Association for $320,039.
Hensby called the U.S. Golf Association's set up of Pinehurst "the hardest, fairest golf course I've ever played. The USGA did a good job."
Earlier this spring at the Masters, Hensby finished tied for fifth with former Masters champions Vijay Singh and Mike Weir, fellow Australian Rod Pampling, and Trevor Immelman of South Africa. At famed Augusta National, Hensby shot 69-73-70-72 - 284, a 4-under par total, and walked away with $237,300.
Currently ranked 37th in the world, Hensby will come to the Quad Cities to defend his John Deere Classic title July 7-10 at the Tournament Players Club at Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.
Why has Hensby done so well in majors?
Perhaps because he tries to treat the majors the same as he would any other golf tournament.
"I felt as much pressure at the John Deere Classic as I did at the U.S. Open," Hensby said. Yet, he added, at a major championship, "you're a little more focused."
Hensby said he is "really looking forward" to defending his title at the John Deere Classic. "I'm just going to do my best. It was my first Tour win and, obviously, it is very exciting for me to defend this year."
Winner of the 1994 Illinois State Amateur and the 1996 Illinois Open, Hensby first played in the Quad Cities' PGA Tour event in 1996. It was the same year as the player who finished second in this year's U.S. Open - Tiger Woods - finished second to Ed Fiori at Oakwood Country Club, former site of the tournament.
"I Monday-qualified in 1996 and made the cut," Hensby recalled. "I think I was putting out on 18 when Tiger made his 8 or something on No. 3. So I've been coming here quite awhile. Obviously, living in Illinois for five years, it was really exciting for me. I've had a lot of success here."
Hensby, who turns 34 on June 29, will celebrate his birthday while playing in the Cialis Western Open at Cog Hill GC in Lemont, Ill. After moving to Chicago from Australia, Hensby spent a great deal of time at Cog Hill, playing and practicing there. He tied for third at last year's Western, the week before he won the John Deere Classic.
In 14 events so far this year (as of June 21), Hensby has six top 25 finishes has earned $895,579 in official winnings, ranking him 46th on the PGA Tour.
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