Former Stanford All-American golfer Patrick Rodgers has played his way into the 116th annual U.S. Open, but had to work overtime during sectional qualifying on Tuesday in Powell, Ohio.
Eight players secured spots in the U.S. Open field on Monday, but six others — including Luke Donald, 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur champion Scottie Scheffler and Rodgers, a two-time Walker Cup Team member — were locked in a in a 6-for-5 playoff. The odd man out would be the first alternate.
All six players returned to the Wedgewood Golf & Country Club on Tuesday morning for the playoff.
Terrific approach shots by Rodgers and Jason Allred on their second playoff hole, the par-4 second hole led to a pair of birdies. Rodgers hit his approach shot to eight feet, and Allred to three. Both, however, were lucky to have moved on to the second playoff hole as both hit wayward tee shots on the first hole and had to scramble to make pars.
The playoff ended on the second hole when Daniel Summerhays made a bogey, missing a five-foot par attempt. That secured U.S. Open berths for Rodgers, Scottie Scheffler, Donald, Allred and Richard Schembechler II.
Next week at Oakmont Country Club will mark Donald’s 13th U.S. Open appearance and Allred’s third. Rodgers, Schembechler and Scheffler will be making their debuts in the championship.
At other sectional qualifiers around the country, Stanford All-American Maverick McNealy missed out as he shot 73-73 at the Olympic Club (Ocean Course) and Lake Merced Country Club in Daly City and finished nine shots out of a berth with a 146. Jeff Brehaut of Los Altos shot 148 and Palo Alto High junior-to-be Ahmed Ali carded a 160 for his 36 holes on Tuesday.
The U.S. Open will run June 16-19 at historic Oakmont. Former Stanford NCAA champ Tiger Woods said he is not playing in the tournament as he continues to recover from back surgery.
By Palo Alto Online Sports/USGA
By Palo Alto Online Sports/USGA
By Palo Alto Online Sports/USGA