Trojan tops field in U.S. Open sectional

Matthew Giles was like the bank robber who had gotten away long before anyone knew the vault was empty.

The sophomore at Southern California was back home in Los Angeles when the final group putted out at DragonRidge Country Club on Tuesday, his spot in sectional qualifying for next month's U.S. Open secure.

Giles fired a 4-under-par 68 to post the day's low round of the Las Vegas regional qualifier for the Open, set for June 18 to 21 at Bethpage's Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y.

The Australia native was one of six to advance to sectionals, set for June 8 to 13 at courses around the country. The winner of each sectional gains a spot in the Open field, along with additional spots awarded depending on the size and quality of each sectional field.

Joining Giles were Henderson's Jeff Gallagher (69), former UNLV star Warren Schutte (70), current Rebel Ji Moon (70) and Henderson's Travis Long (70).

The last spot went to Mike Ruiz, a former UNLV golfer who won a seven-way playoff on the fourth extra hole after shooting 1-over 73.

Veteran PGA Tour pro Bob May, who was in the playoff, squandered an opportunity to get the last spot in regulation. The Las Vegan bogeyed the par-3 17th, and, despite being on in two at the par-5 18th, he was unable to make birdie, three-putting the hole and coming in at 73.

"Typical golf," said May, who was eliminated on the second playoff hole. "I knocked it long on 17 and three-putted 18. What can I say?"

Giles played in the morning when conditions were calm and greens soft, and it was a decided advantage. By afternoon, the winds had picked up noticeably, and the greens were hard and fast. Nobody playing in the afternoon groups broke par.

"I drove the ball really well," said Giles, who had to hustle back to USC, where the Trojans are preparing to compete in the NCAA Championships next week. "I didn't make any putts, and I played the par-5s poorly. But I kept it in play, and I was able to put it close to the pin."

He made the turn at 2 under, carding birdies at the par-3 No. 5 and the par-4 No. 9.

"It was my first time playing the course, and it reminded me a little of Southern Highlands," he said. "I was very comfortable out there."

He went to 3 under with a birdie at the par-4 13th, only to give it back with his only bogey of the day, at the par-3 14th. But Giles rallied with a strong finish, going birdie-par-birdie in his final three holes.

Giles will try to make the Open field in the Southern California sectional at Saticoy Country Club, north of Los Angeles.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.