Thursday, June 16, 2005 | 9:10 a.m.
PINEHURST, N.C. -- Eleven years after playing his first U.S. Open as a fresh-faced amateur, Henderson native Craig Barlow intends to enjoy every minute of his first one as a pro.
"Any time you get into a major, it's just a treat," Barlow said. "This is history. You're a part of golf history. Growing up as a kid, I've hit a million putts to win the U.S. Open."
Barlow teed off in today's opening round from No. 10 in what is also his first major championship appearance since 1994. He qualified for the Open at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania at just 21 years old, shooting consecutive rounds of 80 and missing the cut.
In a year where Barlow's other big accomplishment was winning the Nevada State Amateur, controlling his nerves through qualifying rounds and then standing among the stars at Oakmont proved to be a huge challenge.
"It was a little overwhelming then," Barlow said. "I'm kind of looking forward to see how my game has matured over the years."
The maturation process is a slow churn for Barlow, who battled hip, shoulder and wrist injuries the past couple of years and struggled with personal issues early this season. Despite having missed five of 12 cuts so far, Barlow already has amassed more than $200,000 in earnings, good for 144th on the money list.
That nerve-fraying area is the one from which Barlow has worked to break free for much of his eight-year pro career. He kept his card in 2001 and 2002 by finishing 122nd and 124th, respectively, on the money list. After finishing 128th last year, in part because of the injuries, he earned back his exempt status through Tour qualifying school last fall.
Barlow plans to beef up his schedule after playing here, as he has not yet played more than two weeks in a row in 2005.
"I'm playing well," Barlow said. "Obviously, I'm very excited. I have to be very patient this week.
Having shot 9-under in 36 holes of U.S. Open qualifying and coming off his best 72-hole score of the season -- a 6-under 278 -- at last week's Booz Allen Classic, Barlow feels primed for Pinehurst.
Then again, primed takes on a slightly different meaning for Barlow at an event like this one. With the perspective of a guy who has grinded up through the ranks just to be here, Barlow is playing simply for the joy of it this week.
"Playing this week is more about me, as fun," Barlow said. "Whereas playing on the tour, it's my job. That's how I earn my living. This is kind of a treat.
"Playing here is different. It's a little unfair. It's exciting. This is just for me."
About the unfair part, Barlow said the course lightened up Wednesday, if only because United States Golf Association officials relented a bit by watering the greens throughout the day. Temperatures in the mid-90s are baking the already firm greens and everyone is wary of repeating last year's debacle from Shinnecock Hills in New York.
"It's definitely one of the toughest courses I've ever played," Barlow said. "(Wednesday) played a little bit easier than it played Monday and Tuesday. They watered the course a little bit today, trying not to let it burn out too early."
Playing some golf that is not meant for scoring is part of the treat for Barlow, who said par would be a "great score." After missing qualifying for the U.S. Open by one shot on three separate occasions, Barlow is willing to accept whatever Pinehurst throws at him.
"This is completely different than what we're used to on tour, in the sense that on tour, it's put your foot on the pedal and go as hard as you can. It's not that way out here," Barlow said. "It's about being smart and hitting it to the right spots. Even missing greens is OK if you miss them in the right spot."
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