Stanford foursome relishes major first at U.S. Open

LOS ANGELES – As Stanford senior Barclay Brown struck some putts on Los Angeles Country Club’s ninth green on Tuesday afternoon, a familiar voice pierced the air.

“Hey, Barc!” said Cardinal head coach Conrad Ray as he rolled a ball toward Brown. The Englishman had just shanked the scuffed Titleist over near a grandstand and some trees right of the green, and Ray had dutifully retrieved it.

The job of a coach never stops.

But why would it? Especially considering Ray has four active players teeing it up in this week’s U.S. Open, a number that is believed to be a record for college programs at a major championship.

On Tuesday, all four Cardinal – Brown, rising seniors Michael Thorbjornsen and Karl…