“The thing about the U.S. Open,” a competitor was saying during Monday’s USGA sectional at Columbine Country Club, “is that everyone has a chance to get in.”
Indeed, next week’s event at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh may be the most democratic tournament on the PGA Tour schedule, an event in which Jason Allen, a once and future resident of Pueblo who now spends more time pushing home loans than 5-irons, can earn a spot, but Tom Lehman and Mark O’Meara, British Open and Masters champions, cannot.
That opportunity, the chance to achieve, for one week – and at least before the opening shots are struck – equal footing with Tiger Woods or defending champion Geoff Ogilvy, is what makes the sectionals such an excruciating experience. When local qualifying began, there were more than 8,000 players hoping for a spot in the 156-player field. When the sectionals took place this week at 13 sites across the U.S., along with one in England and another in Japan, there were approximately 550 players vying for 83 available spots.
Allen, 33, won the single spot up for grabs Monday at Columbine, but his was far from the only compelling tale being told among the 20 golfers on the premises.
For example, Tuesday was Brandon Hartzell’s birthday. Winning the sectional would have been the ultimate present for the sophomore at Delta State University, but the way he figured it, he had already received a pretty good gift.
Last Tuesday, the South Dakota resident, who’d only earned alternate status after local qualifying, received a phone call from the USGA saying there was an available spot in the sectionals if he wanted it. The bad news was that it was in Surrey, England.
“I was bummed because I knew I couldn’t go – I don’t even have a passport,” Hartzell said.
Two days later, beating balls on a range back home in Sioux Falls, Hartzell got another phone call asking if Colorado might be a better fit.
“It was a lot better, but then I started wondering how I got in, so I asked if I’d taken someone’s spot – they told me it was David Duval’s,” Hartzell said, referring to the 2001 British Open champion and Cherry Hills Village resident who withdrew after being scheduled to play at Columbine. “Later, I called back to get some information and I mentioned Duval; the woman at the USGA was going, ‘Yeah, we’re all really bummed he couldn’t play.’ I couldn’t tell her I was the one who got in because of it.”
After shooting an opening-round 5-over-par 77, Hartzell rallied with a 1-over 73. His 36-hole total of 150 was 10 shots behind Allen’s winning score, but you couldn’t really tell by the smile on Hartzell’s face.
“It certainly would have been something to talk to my kids about, but that’s OK,” he said. “I’m supposed to be on a fishing trip next week and I was really looking forward to that. Maybe I’ll put a TV on the boat and watch the Open from there.”
Great expectations
While just walking onto the first tee after his USGA roller-coaster ride made everything that happened afterward gravy for Hartzell, Wil Collins said he’d spent the better part of the past two months picturing himself playing at Oakmont. The 2005 Open qualifier from Columbine, Collins played at Pinehurst No. 2.
That experience, the knowledge that he could actually get through qualifying and make it to the Open, gave him an advantage heading into Monday, he thought. However, a tough year in which a mini-tour he was hoping to play on folded abruptly, continued for Collins – he shot 76-79 and never seriously contended.
“I had expectations; I felt good about my game, but I just didn’t play well. I made a lot of costly mistakes,” Collins said of his day on a course that had been lengthened and played much tougher than it did in 2005. “Two years ago, this course was old-school – now it’s a lot different.”
Close but no cigar
After the first 18 holes, Jason Preeo of Highlands Ranch was at the top of the leaderboard with a 4-under 68. That seemed like a very distant memory about four hours later following his 5-over 77 on the closing 18 holes.
“You shoot a 77 every once in a while,” the surprisingly good-natured Preeo said. “I was 1-under (for the day) with six holes left and I figured I needed to make a few birdies. It’s hard when you don’t know what’s going on with everyone else, but you know that there are enough good players out there to know that you have to play well.”
Which was why, Preeo said, he never got too excited at the completion of his opening 18 holes.
“You’re only halfway there,” he said. “I know you can shoot a 76-64 or a 68-77. Someone else could get hot out there – you have to play all 36 holes.”
SPOTLIGHT: MICHELLE WIE
Injured wrist or “lack of respect”?
A couple of years ago, Michelle Wie was making headlines on the eve of the McDonald’s LPGA Championship after receiving an invitation to play in what was previously a professionals-only event. Now a pro, the 17-year-old still finds herself in hot water as the second major championship of the LPGA season begins at Bulle Rock Golf Course in Maryland. Returning from a wrist injury at last week’s Ginn Tribute, Wie withdrew after playing 16 holes. Wie and members of her camp said the move was made because her wrist was bothering her; others speculated it had more to do with her potentially shooting an 88 – a score that would prohibit her from playing in any LPGA events the rest of the season. This week, Wie said that wasn’t the case, that she should have withdrawn after nine holes, but tried to continue out of stubbornness. However, the fact that she proceeded to practice almost immediately afterward didn’t go unnoticed, especially by Annika Sorenstam. “I just feel that there’s a little bit of lack of respect and class just to kind of leave a tournament like that and then come out and practice here, especially (with me) being the hostess,” Sorenstam said. “You know, I don’t know the situation, if it’s injury or whatever it is. It’s just, it just seemed really weird. It’s a little funny that you pull out with an injury and then you start grinding.”
Hear no evil
“Well, I didn’t hear any criticism. She didn’t come up to me and criticize me. So I have really no comment to say about that. I’m just doing what I feel like is best for me.”
– Michelle Wie, on Annika Sorenstam’s comments regarding Wie’s withdrawal from last week’s Ginn Tribute
THIS WEEK
PGA Tour
Stanford St. Jude Championship, TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tenn.
What’s up: Even with the withdrawal of Phil Mickelson and its positioning just one week before the U.S. Open, the event still has an impressive field, including Vijay Singh, Adam Scott, Retief Goosen, David Toms and Sergio Garcia.
LPGA Tour
McDonald’s Championship, Bulle Rock G.C., Havre de Grace, Md.
What’s up: One week after a controversial withdrawal from the Ginn Tribute, Michelle Wie tees it up again at the second major championship of the LPGA season. Se Ri Pak is the defending champion.
Champions Tour
The Principal Charity Classic, Glen Oaks Country Club, West Des Moines, Iowa.
What’s up: After three weeks in the Southeast, the senior circuit plays hopscotch – moving to the Midwest. Last year, Gil Morgan shot a final- round 67 to win.
Model of consistency
Although Lorena Ochoa has overtaken her at the top of the world rankings, Annika Sorenstam will be looking to extend a remarkable streak this week. Already a three-time winner of the McDonald’s, another triumph in this year’s event would mark the seventh consecutive season the Swede has won at least one major championship.
Event | Years won
Kraft Nabisco 2001-02, 2005
McDonald’s LPGA Champ. 2003-05
U.S. Open 2006
Women’s British Open 2003
Anthony Cotton can be reached at 303-954-1292 or acotton@denverpost.com.
