If you ever want a dose of normality in the heady world of professional sport, give Marcus Fraser a call.
Because, as the saying goes, you can certainly take the boy out of Corowa, but you’ll never take the Corowa out of the boy.
Even in the bright lights of the year’s second major championship.
“It’s a huge buzz to play in a tournament like this and from a kid that grew up playing in a small country town with about 5000 people and a whole heap of sheep and cows, to come and play in a third US Open, for me it’s pretty cool,” he said in typical country tones and an appreciation of the path he’s trodden.
He’s 36 now, Fraser – quietly a veteran who several times has threatened seriously big feats in world golf only to be hampered by injury.
But if you think he’s bitter as he prepares for his third US Open, you’re so incredibly wrong.
Fraser has, often far from the fanfare of some of his former amateur peers, compiled a stellar career with two victories, 11 top-threes and 20 other top-10 finishes in 13 years on the European Tour.
He was even on the verge of making the Masters cut-off of the world’s top 50 in early 2013 – and that after a neck injury that required major surgery in 2011.
Then, just as that smooth swing was finally rediscovering its silky appearance, an excruciating hand injury required injections and more radical surgery that cost him the majority of 2014.
But now, with all that behind him, and a clutch playoff birdie in European sectional qualifying to reach Chambers Bay this week, Fraser says he’s back – and in contention.
“Yeah, I think so. Game-wise it feels like I’m playing well again. I don’t have any issues with my hand and feel like I can do everything I want and I’m not protecting it at all, so it’s pretty good.
“I (was) heading in the right direction when that popped up. But they’re just the cards I was dealt and it’s the way it is. But I feel like I deserve to be here and I’ll give it all I’ve got.
“The body’s still overweight (but) there’s plenty of cracks and creaks in it, but overall it feels pretty good.”
Fraser made his major debut in the 2005 Open Championship – and despite the years that have slipped by, he recalls the nerves vividly.
“I remember playing in my first major at St Andrews and I could barely take the club back on the first tee,” Fraser said.
“It’s just the way it is. If you don’t feel that you probably shouldn’t be there."
But things have changed – in many ways.
“A lot more grey hairs and the stomach’s a bit bigger,” he joked.
“But hopefully along the way I’ve gotten a little bit wiser and more confident hopefully more comfortable in this situation.
“I just want to go out there and do as well as I can and see what I’ve got and that’s why we’re all here.
“This is my ninth major. But every time there’s a chance to go and qualify, you go – this is why we play the game.
“Whether it’s the biggest prize fund or not, you aim to play in the major championships.
“There are four chances a year to go and play in them and for someone at my level at the moment there are only two realistic chances a year and luckily enough I’m in both of them this year – the Open and this week.
“It’s a completely different buzz around the place and the ultimate in golf to be able to play in a major.”
Ever self-aware, Fraser is brutally honest about his lack of length compared to the game’s monsters who many think will have an edge this week on the lengthy Chambers Bay layout that features four of the longest five par-fours in US Open history.
“Some of them will be tricky, and probably even one or two where I’ve got to hit three-wood into a green,” he said.
“But it is what it is and hopefully I can deal with it. I’ve always been a pretty good putter, so hopefully I can scramble a four and get on to the next hole.
“I’m probably one of the shortest hitters this week and I’d always love to hit it a bit further, but that’s not the case.
“But I think it’s a fair test. It’s obviously very tough, but it’s fair and generous off the tees. There are plenty of slopes and mounds out there, but it’s all going to depend on how close they put the pins to those mounds.”
But don’t for a second think that Fraser views his length as an issue he can’t overcome.
As with the other setbacks his career has faced, he’ll just stare them down and press on in the firm belief he can win.
“Yeah, why not? I’ve been playing pretty steady all year and I’m one of 156 blokes with two arms, two legs and a set of golf clubs this week.
“I think everyone, especially around this course, thinks they’ve got a chance. I definitely feel that way.”