Mild-Mannered Thompson Cools Fathauer

By Ken Klavon, USGA

San Francisco – Friday’s quarterfinal match between Derek Fathauer and Michael Thompson represented the gentlemanly side of the game. Two experienced collegiate players, weathered by various competitions this year, went about their business at hand with all the enthusiasm of two friends playing a non-stressful round.

If one got there late at the finish, he would have a difficult time disseminating who won and who would be heading home. Thompson, caught in the crosshairs of Hurricane Katrina that eventually led to his transfer to the University of Alabama, walked off the 15^th green with little fanfare after a 5-and-4 victory.

Michael Thompson's eagle on the par-4 seventh set the tone for his victory. (John Mummert/USGA)

It led to the docile Fathauer to remark, "I’m not disappointed because if I had to lose to someone, I’m glad it was him."

To that Thompson smiled and said, "He said that? Wow, that was nice of him."

Welcome to San Francisco, the embodiment of peace and love.

If either was nervous, they didn’t show it on the outside. It took Fathauer’s 17-year-old caddie, Amanda Bruski, whom Fathauer thought so much of when she carried for him at the Catigny Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill., during the U.S. Amateur Public Links this summer, less than a hole to see that her client had the jitters. "He said he was nervous the first two holes, and he’s never said that he’s been nervous," she said.

Thompson, also passive in demeanor, admitted he felt jumpy through the first four holes until he secured a 1-up lead. For two accomplished players – Thompson came in ranked 19^th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and Fathauer 37^th – it’d be hard to believe they’d be fighting the butterflies. But, like a fine poker bluff, neither wanted to show his early hand, although Thompson sensed Fathauer had become more deliberate in his game.

"He was taking his time a lot more and it showed me he was thinking about today a lot," said Thompson, who shot the equivalent of one under par with the normal match-play concessions.

The 21-year-old Fathauer had blitzed through his two previous matches in 26 holes. His ball-striking was crisp. He never felt in danger with his game. With match play, though, it’s never a certainty that the same taut game can be applied repeatedly. Fathauer was a victim of a game that went awry, as he sprayed the ball off the tee and just couldn’t get the putter going.

Meanwhile, Thompson fed off one of those kick-start moments on the 280-yard, par 4 seventh. He drove the green, the ball stopping a little more than a foot from the hole. An easy tap-in for eagle (how many times can anyone say that?) increased his lead to 2 up. Thompson continued to tighten the vise.

Thompson, 22, won the ninth hole when Fathauer couldn’t get up and down from the left greenside bunker that led to a bogey 5. Then, perhaps the highlight of the match, he drained a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 10. What made it significant was that Thompson started pumping his fist wildly halfway before the ball dropped in.

"I looked up and when it was about 5 feet from the hole I knew it was going in. I guess I could have done other things [to celebrate]," said Thompson smiling. "It’s a great feeling when that happens. It’s like telling yourself, ‘Well done.’"

If that weren’t enough to deflate Fathauer, No. 11 certainly could have had him searching for a straitjacket. Thompson, in a must-make situation to halve the hole, sent his 10-foot putt screeching toward its destination. It caught the outer edge, swirled around – nearly spinning out – before dropping in. It brought a double fist pump for Thompson.

The end came sooner than Fathauer wanted when he flubbed a chip from the deep greenside rough on No. 13. He eventually conceded the hole.

Afterward, Thompson spoke about his affiliation with Arizona-based swing coach Susie Meyers. He estimated he’s been with her about eight years. She’s the one who pushed him to go to Tulane when he could have stayed in the golfing hotbed of Tucson where he grew up. Instead, she told him he needed to go elsewhere so he could experience different designs, different greens and different topographies. The words resonated.

Now he finds himself in the semifinals of the biggest amateur event in the country. He recounted Meyers’ advice, admitting it’s helped him get where he is today. With that has come the media attention, which has caught him by surprise. He didn’t worry because he’s well-spoken.

"I’m not used to all the attention," he said. "I’m learning it’s not easy but I’m taking everything in stride."

Should he be victorious this week, he’d better get used to the spotlight that will shine even brighter.

Ken Klavon is the USGA’s Web Editor. E-mail him with questions or comments at kklavon@usga.org.