The CSGA Links Volume 2 Issue 2 April, 2014 | Page 43

Play by the Rules!

5 “Two-Chip” Chen
After three rounds in the 1985 United States Open Championship at
Oakland Hills Country Club, the 26 year-old Tze-Chung (T.C.) Chen
led by four strokes, tying the tournament record for lowest three
round total. Even more amazing than the score, Chen also recorded
the first “albatross” in tournament history, holing a 3-wood from
256 yards on the 2nd hole of his first round for a rare double-eagle.

Unfortunately for Chen, he will be remembered for what
happened in the final round, not the first three. In command of the
tournament, Chen held a four shot advantage heading to the difficult
par-4 5th hole. After a perfect tee shot, Chen’s approach came up
just short and right of the green, buried in the characteristically
thick rough of a Sunday at the U.S. Open. After failing to advance
his pitch shot more than a few feet, Chen attempted the same shot
with disastrous consequences.

His wedge was caught in the grass after impact and struck the
ball again. The ball finished in the fringe, and Chen was assessed a
one-stroke penalty for the double-hit under Rule 14-4. Seemingly
in disbelief, Chen would go on to make a quadruple bogey 8.

The real mistake was the third shot,” said Chen. “I knew
there was o