'It's hard not to think of him'

Thoughts of Squeeky never far from Price's mind

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Posted: Saturday June 20, 1998 09:53 PM

Nick Price has not won a major since the 1994 PGA (Vincent Laforet/Allsport)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Nick Price was struggling with his emotions as well as his putter on a golf course that was testing both.

Thoughts of his late caddy, Jeff "Squeeky" Medlen were never far from the surface as Price ground out a 1-over 71 Saturday that put him five shots out of the lead going into the final round of the U.S. Open.

"It's hard not to think of him," Price said. "We had a lot of success here together. We did a lot of celebrating together."

A year and three days after Medlen died from leukemia, Price put himself into contention for his biggest success ever at the Olympic Club with a hard-fought round that left him 2 over for the tournament.

It came on a course where he won two money titles in season-ending Tour Championships, a place where he and Medlen teamed as he dominated golf from 1992-94.

"We enjoyed so much success together," Price said. "I do have so many fond memories of him."

Another caddy, Jimmy Johnson, was on Price's bag as he got to even par for the tournament with a birdie on No. 9, only to make bogeys on 11 and 13.

Johnson has caddied for Price ever since Medlen got sick two years ago. It was an arrangement that was supposed to be temporary, but that changed when Medlen died.

"Squeeky was a buddy of mine, too," Johnson said. "I was just going to fill in for him."

Johnson, a former South African touring pro, discussed club selection and helped read putts on an afternoon at Olympic where the bright sun dried out greens and swirling winds made it difficult to decide what to hit.

But it was Price who made good up-and-downs on 16 and 17 to stay within striking distance and put himself in the next-to-last group Sunday.

"The ones on 16 and 17 were key because they kept me on the same page as Payne," Price said of leader Payne Stewart. "But he's obviously in total control now. The whole championship hinges on how he plays Sunday, not how anyone else plays."

Price, who won two PGA Championships and one British Open with Medlen carrying his bag, has not won a major since the 1994 PGA.

A balky putter has been his problem in most tournaments, despite a tee-to-green game that might be better than it was at his money-winning prime.

"I'm not putting badly but I haven't made the 15- to 20-footers I did during that streak," Price said. "It's frustrating because I feel I've got a lot of game left in me."

On Saturday, Price wasn't making those putts either. But he mostly kept the ball in play and made the key putts under 10 feet to stay in the hunt.

Still, Price is five shots back on a course that doesn't allow a lot of birdies, making it difficult to make a move on the final day.

"I don't think there will be a lot of choking tomorrow," he said. "There will be some mental mistakes but not because of choking. I just have to go out there and do exactly what I have been doing all along."

If he does, he may have one more moment to celebrate. Only this one will be without his late buddy.

"It left a big hole in my life," Price said. "He was not only one of my best friends but he was the best caddy on tour."

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