Fernandez and Romero looking to keep Argentina on a roll  PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator HAVEN, Wis. -- Argentina 2, United States 0.  Even at age 61, Vicente Fernandez is showing that he's still competitive enough to win at Whistling Straits. (Stan Badz/PGA TOUR/WireImage)
That's what a scoreboard would've read for the month of June, since Argentinean Angel Cabrera took the U.S. Open and the American soccer team lost to Argentina, 4-1, in the Copa America at the end of the month. The month of July seems to be shaping up the same way, as the South American country continues its dominance in the United States' national golf tournaments. At the U.S. Senior Open in Whistling Straits, the Argentineans are on a roll again, with Eduardo Romero shooting a 66 in the opening round and Vicente Fernandez following closely behind with a 69. For Romero to be at the top of the Champions Tour's five majors is hardly surprising given his recent record, which includes a win at the 2006 JELD-WEN Tradition. He's about a hole apiece away from winning three straight majors, since he finished second at the 2006 Senior British Open and the 2007 Senior PGA Championship. But fellow countryman Fernandez hasn't been mentioned lately in the same breath as the Roberto de Vicenzo-Cabrera-Romero trio of Argentinean greats. Despite earning several top-10s in the Champions Tour majors in the past, including a second in '98 and a third at the '03 Senior Open, Fernandez was under the radar. Until Thursday, that is. "Lately, I've been doing so many bogeys. So many birdies, thanks to God too, but so many bogeys that, after my second bogey today I told myself, well, no more bogeys. So that means no more mental mistakes. And it worked out," said Fernandez, who three-putted No. 4 and hit a poor tee shot on the par-3 seventh hole to pick up early blunders in the round. It was smooth sailing from there, as the 61-year-old saved par on No. 18 to go bogey-free on the back nine. "Chino," as Fernandez is nicknamed, may not be as famous as "El Gato" or "El Pato," but the dynamic 5'10'' 61-year-old possesses a swing that's powerful enough to place him in 20th in Driving Distance on the 2007 Champions Tour, knocking the ball an average of 276.4 yards. The four-time Champions Tour winner can even still hold his own when playing with the young guys in Argentina, including Romero and Cabrera. "We play in some of the same tournaments in Argentina still and the old guy kicked the youngsters a couple of times," said Fernandez with a laugh. Fernandez, like Cabrera and Romero, spent much of his career on the European Tour, playing there for two decades and winning five times. The skills they learned there, he believes, help the Argentineans on U.S. Open-style courses. "We played a lot in Europe, where you face tough conditions every week there," said Fernandez. "(Whistling Straits) is tough. It doesn't matter that I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens. If you miss just a little bit on the fairways, you're in trouble. And you miss just off the green, maybe two or three paces off the green, it's a tough recovery." In his career, Fernandez has won more than 100 tournaments, including several in the country he still calls home. The Buenos Aires resident was a member of five Argentine World Cup teams and even caddied for Chi Chi Rodriguez at the 1962 World Cup in Argentina. His successes, as well as the major championship wins by de Vicenzo, Cabrera and Romero, have helped spawn a growth in golf in Argentina. From de Vicenzo winning the 1967 British Open and the inaugural U.S. Senior Open at Winged Foot in 1980 to Cabrera's U.S. Open victory last month, it's been a good ride for the country. "Golf in Argentina is the most growing sport in the last 10, 15 years. So we're doing very well. I mean, the youngsters, they're practicing and they are training and they take care of themselves very well," said Fernandez, noting that there are about 50 boys from Argentina playing and winning on golf tours worldwide. "Soccer is very important in Argentina and all of South America," agreed Romero. "Before it was soccer and basketball, but now I think golf is second and tennis, also. ... In a couple more years, it's golf, soccer and tennis, I wish." It's likely that, the more the Argentineans continue to dominate in America, the more popular golf will become. And Fernandez is doing his part to stay competitive, finishing in the top-30 in nine of 12 starts on the Champions Tour in 2007. "I've been striking the ball very well and that was the case also today," he said. "Most of the round I hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens. And I putted pretty well, too." "It leaves a good taste in my mouth ... and I will be pleased to go and watch soccer tonight. Hopefully Argentina wins against Paraguay." If that's the case and Fernandez or Romero continue to play well and win the U.S. Senior Open, by July's end the world would be chalking up even more points to those feisty Argentinean winners. |
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