COLUMBUS, OHIO (AP) – Stewart Cink doesn’t care that he turned 50 last month. He’ll do anything to play in the United States (US) Open, even if that means going 36 holes against some kids who weren’t even born when he played his first one 27 years ago. Cink got a pep talk from his wife on Monday to keep patient, and he ran off five birdies over six holes at Brookside Golf & Country Club to become one of 11 players to earn spots out of the Columbus, Ohio, US qualifier.
“I just love playing in majors,” said former British Open champion Cink. “I’m a one-trick pony, and you can’t be a one-trick pony if you can’t do your trick. I’ll keep trying to qualify forever.”
Cink was among 45 players trying to qualify for the US Open, to be played on June 15-18 at Los Angeles Country Club. Roughly 45 per cent of the 156-man field have to qualify.
Columbus was among 10 final qualifying sites from California to Canada, from New Jersey to Florida, some of them requiring sudden-death playoffs to see who gets in.
Columbus had the most PGA Tour players because of the Memorial Tournament that finished on Sunday. Viktor Hovland already is exempt for the US Open. He still showed up at qualifying to caddie 36 holes for former Oklahoma State roommate Zach Bauchou, who didn’t make it.
The medallist was the son of PGA Tour winner Olin Browne Olin Browne Jr, and the connection to qualifying was what makes this long day so appealing. It was in 2005 when the father shot 73 over the first 18 holes and contemplated withdrawing because he was so far behind. Browne changed his mind thinking, “How can you quit at something and then tell your kids you can’t quit.”
He shot 59 that day and two weeks later was in the penultimate group at Pinehurst number two. The son remembers that moment well.
“He called me up on the phone. I said, ‘How did it go?'” Olin Browne Jr said. “He said, ‘Oh, I shot 69.’ And I was like, ‘Sorry you missed.’ He said, ‘No, no. I shot 59.’ I misunderstood him. It’s a vivid memory. I remember hollering at him in the car on the drive home.” And now it’s the son’s turn, and the father couldn’t be more proud.
“It’s gratifying that he’s been able to do something that makes him feel like all the work has been worth it,” the father said. “It’s the national championship and it’s a big deal.
Qualifying is something those of us who weren’t consistent stars on tour had to face on a yearly basis”. Browne Jr had rounds of 66 (The Lakes) and 67 (Brookside) to lead 11 qualifiers, the most of any of the 10 final qualifying sites. Others to advance out of Columbus were Davis Thompson, Eric Cole, Nico Echavarria, Corey Pereira, Luke List, Patrick Rodgers, Kevin Streelman, Nick Dunlap and David Nyfall. The last three were in a four-man playoff.
The odd man out was former US Open champion Lucas Glover, and it was a painful to watch. Glover shot nine-under 63 with a three-putt on the final hole at The Lakes.
But he struggled to a 73 at Brookside. In the third playoff hole, Glover missed a two-foot par putt and was eliminated. He recently switched to a long putter, hopeful it would cure what he described as the yips.
Four players with LIV Golf made it through in playoffs – Sebastian Munoz made it out of the Maryland qualifier, while Carlos Ortiz advanced through Florida, both in playoffs.
David Puig shot 64 to grab one of five spots in Los Angeles. Last month, Sergio Garcia advanced through a qualifier in Texas.
