Bookmark this page to:                             

PINEHURST - Natalie Gulbis wrapped a blanket around herself to ward off a chilly wind at Pinehurst Resort on Monday.

Zach Johnson and Chris DiMarco blew on their hands to try and keep them warm as they hit shots on the practice range.

The three touring pros were in Pinehurst to give a clinic for a sponsor's clients.

They will likely find the weather quite different when they return to Pinehurst in June of 2014 for the U.S. Open.

The USGA will stage the men's and women's Open on back-to-back weeks at the same golf course for the first time in 2014.

"I think it's exciting that we're going to get an Open on a men's major golf course," Gulbis said. "I've watched the men play Pinehurst No. 2 and I can't wait until we actually get to play it. It's going to be fun for us to see how the men play the golf course. I think it's great for golf."

DiMarco also likes the idea.

"I think it's pretty awesome to tell you the truth," he said. "You're not going to find more storied history or tradition than you get here."

Johnson liked the idea but saw some potential problems.

"I hope there's no weather delays because that's going to be an issue," he said. "It's going to be easier for us because we play the first week. The course will not have been played on and we get practice rounds before the week. The women are not going to be able to do that.

"It's great from a fan's perspective. They can take a two-week vacation and watch quality golf, both men and women. That's awesome."

The players also weighed in on golf being voted into the Olympics, starting in 2016.

"I think that's great," DiMarco said. "As someone who is passionate about having a U.S. flag on their person, I know it would be a great honor to have your flag go up if you were to win the gold. It's long overdue and I'm excited. I hope there's a qualifying system and I can somehow make it."

Gulbis has played for the U.S. on Solheim Cup teams against the Europeans.

"That's the closest thing we have to the Olympics," she said. "If you ask the players, those are some of the best weeks in professional golf."

Johnson played for a winning U.S. team earlier this month in the President's Cup.

"Adding the team element to such an individual game makes it special," he said. "Every Cup I've been associated with has been fantastic. The most special thing is representing your country. Putting that flag on your sleeve comes with responsibility but it's such an honor."

The LPGA Tour appeared in trouble earlier this year with a loss of sponsors and tournaments.

"At midseason, we had a lot of concerns," Gulbis said. "We had 10 events up for renewal. But by the end of the year, we had only lost two sponsors. We made a late rally and the schedule looks good for 2010. The product has never been better. That's why we were getting frustrated."

Johnson had a big year with two wins and finished sixth in the FedEx Cup standings. But he didn't do it alone.

"I have a swing coach, a putting coach, a mental coach and a trainer," he said. "I think all those aspects deserve equal attention. When one suffers, it affects the others.

DiMarco has struggled since having shoulder surgery two years ago. But he sees recent signs of regaining his status as one of the top players on the PGA Tour.

"I'm starting to hit the ball solid again," he said. "My great years on tour, my iron play was top 20. Now, it's 160th. That's a direct indication of where I'm at."

Golf fans remember "The Natalie Gulbis Show" that aired on the Golf Channel last year. It gave a behind-the-scenes look at her life. She indicated a revised show may return in 2010.

"I'd love to do it again," she said. "We're talking about doing something a little bit different with golf, business, celebrities and movers and shakers of the world who play golf."

Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of Payne Stewart's death. He died just four months after winning the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst.

"Payne was a class act," DiMarco said. "I was very fortunate to play quite a bit with him. He did all the right things. He was the kind of role model the PGA Tour needs."