Angel Cabrera enjoying emotional return to Oakmont after 2007 US Open win
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 15/06/16 9:34pm
Angel Cabrera says emotions almost got the better of him as he made his return to Oakmont, the scene of his 2007 US Open victory.
Cabrera was the only player to post two sub-70 rounds in the tournament nine years ago, and scoring is predicted to be at least as tough this week.
His victory was the first for a player from Argentina in the US Open and he has since added a second major title thanks to a win in The Masters in 2009.
"It's been very emotional this week with all the memories from back in '07," said Cabrera, whose victory made him a real favourite in the nearby blue-collar city of Pittsburgh.
"I've been waiting several years to actually be back here at this moment, to be back and play Oakmont again.
"For some reason, I just play better at majors than regular tournaments. There's something about the majors that gets a lot of focus from me, a lot of the best of me, and that's been basically the case for all of my golfing career."
Cabrera feels driving accuracy will be key this week, despite a series of comments from fellow professionals on how tough Oakmont's greens are going to play.
"It's all about putting the ball in the fairway," he added. "Besides a couple of bunkers on the 18th hole, the course is pretty much the same, playing really tough.
"The most important shot is going to be the one off the tee certainly because, if you play from the fairway, it's going to make it a lot easier. If you don't hit fairways, it's very difficult to hit greens."
