Wind plays havoc as six advance to Open sectional
Trying to qualify for the U.S. Open golf tournament is not supposed to be easy. But Drew Scott made the first step look like child's play Tuesday at the Legacy Golf Club.
The former Green Valley High School player overcame blustery conditions to post a 4-under-par 68 on Tuesday and move one step closer to a spot in the Open, to be played June 12 to 15 at Torrey Pines Golf Course near San Diego.
Scott was one of two players in the 90-player field to break par -- Andrew Reynolds had a 1-under 71. They were among six players to move on to the 36-hole sectional qualifying June 2 at Lake Merced Golf Club near San Francisco.
Joining them were former UNLV player Mike Ruiz, Aaron Watkins and Jesse Mueller with par 72s and current UNLV player Seung-su Heung with 73.
Heung emerged from a five-man playoff, making a birdie on the second sudden-death hole, the par-3, 203-yard No. 2. He then rushed to McCarran International Airport to join his UNLV teammates for a flight to Seattle to play in the NCAA West Regional starting Thursday at Bremerton, Wash.
Scott, who played for San Diego State from 2002 to 2006, played a bogey-free round and used a hot putter to post his low score.
"It was very windy, so I just tried to keep it low and straight," he said. "I made a lot of good putts and I had a lot of par saves."
Reynolds, a second-year pro who is seeking sponsorship, recorded an eye-catching three birdies on the back nine, but he was surprised his round turned out to be second best.
"I didn't think it would hold up," he said. "But I knew 71 was a good score, and I'm glad to be moving on."
Ruiz continued his quest to qualify for his second Open. In 2005, he worked his way through the qualifying and made the field at Pinehurst No. 2.
"I just kept fighting," Ruiz said. "I got off to a slow start and was hitting everything off line. But then I got up and down at No. 8 after shanking my second shot, and I seemed to settle down after that."
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
