OAKMONT (UNITED STATES) - Former major winners Adam Scott and Angel Cabrera are both convinced that a laid-back approach could pay dividends at this week's US Open.
Adam Scott of Australia walks off a tee box during a practice round prior to the US Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 15, 2016 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania
Much has been said all week about the toughness and unforgiving nature of the par-70 Oakmont course outside Pittsburgh with its deep bunkers, super-fast greens and deep rough.
And warnings have been issued to any golfer who fails to find the narrow fairways that such waywardness off the tee would have dire consequences.
Scott though says that he is determined not to let the course intimidate him despite the fact that he missed the cut at Oakmont in 2007 the last time the US Open was played there.
"I think you've just really got to have the right mindset going out this week to enjoy whatever gets thrown at you. If you get crazy putts, enjoy the challenge of it," the 35-year-old Australian said.
"Do whatever you have to do to fool yourself that it's not do or die and just have some fun with it.
"Stay calm. It's going to be the same for everybody even though you feel like it's just you making a meal of the golf course.
"You've really got to have the right mental approach and not get frustrated. I think the guys who are going to play well this week will be upbeat and calm and kind of just floating around the golf course and won't get dragged into all the bad stuff that's out there."
Scott has enjoyed a welcome return to form this year with back-to-back tournament wins at the WGC-Cadillac and the Honda Classic that have seen him rise back up to eighth in the world rankings.
But the former top ranker knows that with younger players like Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy now at the forefront, his chances of winning a second major title to go with the 2013 Masters are starting to dim.
- Strategy? What Strategy? -
But his take-it-easy approach to playing at Oakmont this week finds agreement with Cabrera, the bulky Argentinian who he beat in a playoff to win at Augusta National over three years ago.
Cabrera it was who pulled off an upset win at Oakmont in 2007, holding off Tiger Woods on the final day to lift his first major title.
Asked what strategy he would employ to challenge the course this week he replied: "Well, it's difficult to say a strategy for this golf course because it's such a tough golf course that sometimes you hit a good shot and you end up with a bogey.
"So you just have to try to hit the fairways and try to hit the greens on the right side of the greens so you make it easier for yourself.
"That would be my strategy basically, but it's difficult to say that there is any strategy at all."
Patience and composure then are the orders of the day for both players, but that approach could be severely tested with both having late starts on Thursday when heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast to lash the golf course.