Mounting his challenge
Vermont ex-skier hits new heights
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. - Trevor Murphy always figured he’d have it all - the success, the attention, the television cameras, the crowds chanting his name. He just didn’t think it would be in golf.
An admitted ski junkie and a former prodigy from St. Johnsbury, Vt., Murphy represented the United States all over Europe, competed in the Junior Olympics, and was teammates with World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn. He turned to golf after a knee injury in high school ended his promising career on the slopes.
Skiing might be his true love, but golf is treating him OK, too.
Murphy, a 24-year-old playing in his first US Open, put a charge into the charged-up crowds at Bethpage Black yesterday, making birdies on the 16th, 17th, and 18th holes to shoot a 1-under-par 69 in the second round. He made the cut at even par, and began the third round tied for 16th, joined by such names as Geoff Ogilvy, Sergio Garcia, and Adam Scott. Pretty impressive company.
“Golf’s still kind of new to me,’’ said Murphy, whose specialties as a skier were slalom and giant slalom. “My caddie asked me today out on the course if I’ve played in more golf tournaments or more ski races. I had to think about that for a while. I said, ‘You know, I’m not sure.’
“I could probably recite every podium [starting with] the ’88 Olympics in Calgary, but if you asked me who won the US Open two years ago, I’d have no clue.’’
OK, so his sense of golf history might lag compared with some of his peers’, but that doesn’t seem to bother Murphy. In fact, nothing seems to bother Murphy. Quick with a laugh, always smiling, he personifies the carefree skier, living in the moment, never looking back, always up for another run down the hill.
Even the large crowds didn’t faze him; after holing a birdie putt on No. 17, Murphy ran up the hill toward the 18th tee, slapping hands with fans on both sides.
“I haven’t played in this arena, this environment, in front of all these people,’’ he said. “You kind of don’t know what to expect until you try to play in this. Those last three holes were pretty cool, though.’’
It’s been a whirlwind for Murphy. He got married three weeks ago, qualified for the US Open in Purchase, N.Y., closed on a new house in Scottsdale, Ariz., and brought his new bride, Amanda, to Long Island for an unexpected honeymoon.
He may have gotten his start in skiing, but he’s quickly catching up with golf. Murphy won the Vermont Amateur three straight years (2006-08), captured the Vermont Open in 2007, appeared in one US Junior Amateur and two US Amateurs.
A graduate of Burke Mountain Academy in East Burke, Vt., Murphy excelled at North Carolina-Charlotte, helping the 49ers to a third-place finish at the 2007 NCAA championships. He qualified for the PGA Tour’s
The skill, obviously, is there. So is the support. His wife is here; so is his father, Steve, a former member of the US Ski Team. And with his second-round finish, Murphy showed that despite a short season, they can play a little golf up in Vermont.
“I just wanted to keep swinging the way I have been. I knew that if I did that it would take care of itself,’’ said Murphy. “I really didn’t have any expectations. I’m just happy I can play well in front of all of them.’’
