Willie Mack III lived in his car for over a year. Now he’s living his dream at the US Open

For even the most talented golfers, it’s a long road to the US Open. Willie Mack III knows that better than anyone – he’s slept on several of them.

For even the most talented golfers, it’s a long road to the US Open. Willie Mack III knows that better than anyone – he’s slept on several of them. The Michigan-born 35-year-old made an impressive start on his major debut at the 124th edition of his national open on Thursday, outperforming some of the game’s biggest names amid supremely challenging conditions at Pinehurst’s No.2 course in North Carolina. A one-over par 71 matched the best efforts of world No.1 and overwhelming tournament favorite Scottie Scheffler, while trumping the opening scores carded by an array of other stars, from defending winner Wyndham Clark to multiple major champion Jordan Spieth and Mack’s very own idol, Tiger Woods. Yet just over a decade ago, as Woods eased ever closer to the all-time PGA Tour win record, Mack was easing himself into his Ford Mustang to settle down for the night. While 15-time major winner Woods was granted a special exemption – the first of his career – to tee it up this week, Mack has taken a far more winding path to Pinehurst. The abridged version is that he stamped his ticket by edging through a qualifying playoff in Florida last week, but that does little to capture all the contours of an arduous journey.