Schultz leads 8 qualifiers at U.S. Open trials
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PGA Tour Player Jason Schultz fired a 4-under 67 to lead 110 players at the U.S. Open Local Qualifying at Lake Forest
Country Club Wednesday.
The 34-year-old former University of Missouri standout went out in one of the first groupings of the day. After a solid front nine, Schultz birdied four of his final six holes to vault to a one-shot win over 23-year-old Evansville, Ind., Tour pro Jeff Overton.
Eight golfers advanced to Sectional Qualifying. South African Craig Lile, a Nationwide Tour pro living in Arkansas shot 69, as did club professional Darrett Brinker, from Evansville, Ind., and St. Charles’ Adam Long.
Kirkwood’s Ben Wood, a collegiate player at Miami of Ohio, strung together five birdies and five bogeys in an even-par round of 71.
Seven golfers – Brice Garnett of Gallatin, Mo., Bellerive head professional Mike Tucker and Director of Instruction Brian Fogt, teaching professional Tony Johnson of Lake St. Louis, and St. Louisans Brian Kennedy, Hongsang Kim and Ted Moloney – posted 1-over par 72s on the 7,000, par 71 Lake Forest layout. Moloney earned the final berth with a birdie on the first playoff hole. “This is my first trip to Sectionals,” said the 34-year-old Fox Run member. “And my playoff record is now 1-0.”
Delsing, who qualified for the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot through local and sectional qualifiers, needed an eagle 3 at Lake Forest’s final hole to earn his spot.
Like Schultz, Delsing rallied late in his round, making birdies at 14 and 15 before clinching his spot at the 506-yard 18th hole.
Sensing that he might need a three to qualify, Delsing ripped a drive down the middle, then laced a 4-iron from 207 to within 16 feet of the pin. Delsing’s right to left breaking putt powered into the back of the hole. “That putt was screaming in,” Delsing said. “If it hadn’t hit the cup, it might have gone off the green.”
Overton, who made just under $600,000 in his rookie year in 2006, said his 68 was impressive in that he hit 17 greens in regulation. “It was solid, but not spectacular. I did make a 40-footer at No. 15, though,” the former U.S. Walker Cupper said.
Long, a freshman at Duke University, made his collegiate debut last September in famous fashion. Posting a final round 71 at Chicago’s Olympia Fields on his birthday, Long paced Duke to a team title against some of the nation’s top teams.
“That day was a defining moment in my career,” Long said following Wednesday’s round. “I wasn’t even sure if I was going to play any golf this year at Duke. That tournament convinced me I could play college golf. I wasn’t sure before that day.”
At Lake Forest, Long hit the trees off the first tee box, but still managed to make birdie. Additional birdies at 13, 14 and a tap-in birdie at the final hole clinched his spot in the Sectionals.
The 107th U.S. Open will be held June 14-17 at Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh.