he tagline goes, the U.S Open is "a challenge like no other."
For Western Australian rookie professional Brady Watt, nothing could be truer as he prepares for his major championship debut this week at Pinehurst No.2.
The 24 year-old punched his ticket for Pinehurst just over a week ago when he emerged from a five-way play-off in sectional qualifying in Tennessee where he shot 70-67.
“Yeah I was pumped. I was pretty shattered after it with a five way play-off for two spots. But how it unfolded, it was pretty satisfying," Watt told golf.org.au in Pinehurst.
Watt met former U.S Open and Masters champion Angel Canbrera on the 10th tee on Tuesday and the pair headed out for 9 holes of practice on a course that brings back memories of Melbourne's sandbelt for Watt.
"It reminds me of a Royal Melbourne or a Kingston Heath – fast and firm. You hit the right shot, it stays on. A groove low on a chip and it runs on, if you nip it right, it checks and holds. You have to bring your best stuff to get it close," Watt said.
“It’s everything I thought a major would be like: tough and fast and firm. You’ve got to play your best around here and keep your ball in the middle of the fairway."
Watt's results in 2014 have been mixed but the U.S Open qualification came on the back of consecutive top 20 finishes on the US PGA's Latin America Tour – enough to secure his card on that Tour.
"In the last six months as a professional I’ve learnt a lot, went through a few downs of just learning about little things but came up and out at the end of it. I’ve played a few events on the Latin America Tour, it feels good, I just have to keep playing. Got two top 20s to get my Latin America card and to get through sectionals and play my first major is pretty special," Watt said.
While not elaborating on his goals this week, Watt will be keen to beat the cut line and enjoy whatever happens from there. He'll do it all with good friend from Perth Oliver Goss in the field as well.
"I saw what happened to Gossy’s Twitter feed during the Masters so something like that would be good," Watt joked.
Watt is scheduled to tee off at 8.46am from the first tee on Thursday with Alabama NCAA champion Robby Shelton (a) and club professional Matt Dobyns who also came through qualifying.