Aron Price has something no one else in the 156-man US Open golf field has, and the New South Welshman hopes it just might help him shock the world at Oakmont Country Club.
Price has a proven winner on the brutal course - in the form of 2003 US Amateur Champion Nick Flanagan on his bag - and hopes his good mate might just bring some Zen and experience when he tees off in the first group on Thursday.
"It's good to have one of my best mates who knows my game well and obviously he's played well here and has good memories here," Price said.
"He has been very positive, which is good because sometimes I can not be positive.
"And managing the bad this week is going to be huge. Doesn't matter if you are winning by five, there are going to be some ugly moments where you could possibly rack up a big number, so keeping your head on is critical."
Having gone through sectional qualifying for his second US Open appearance in three years, Price is a serious long shot.
With limited status on the secondary tour in the US, the 34-year-old has played little golf recently, but will still take confidence into the event.
"I am driving it well, so I feel like if I continue to drive it well your expectations go up because that is stage one done," Price said.
"My ultimate goal would be to feel really nervous on Sunday - that would be cool. Whether I am in 20th or 15th or 10th or fifth, I just want to feel some Sunday nerves in a major. I've never felt that."
And what does Flanagan, who produced some sublime golf 13 years ago on the same track to join Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Bobby Jones, among others, as US amateur champs, expect from his mate?
"It's a good opportunity for him and he has nothing to lose," Flanagan says.
"So I just hope he has some fun and from that plays the golf he is capable of."
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