PGA Preview: 2011 US Open Sectional Qualifying

We interrupt Tuesday Tips to talk a little bit about the up coming U.S. Open, primarily yesterday's sectional qualifying. The U.S. Open is unique in that any golfer can attempt to qualify to get into the field.  Many amateurs manage to do just that.  Some professionals, even those with big names, don't qualify through their standings on tour or in the world golf rankings and have to qualify as well. Sergio Garcia tried to win the Byron Nelson Championship a couple of weeks ago, which would have assured him a spot in the Open.  But a weak Sunday finish left him at #75 in the world and out of the automatic qualifying.  Garcia played in yesterday's qualifier outside of Memphis.  He was part of a seven man playoff for four spots.  A birdie on the first hole punched his ticket to qualification. Vijay Singh, owner of the current longest major championship appearance streak, did not attend the Monday qualifier that he was scheduled to play in.  Chances of Singh continuing his major appearance streak are slim. Fred Funk attended the qualifier in his home town of Rockville at Woodmont Country Club.  Funk had tears in his eyes, not from watching Caddy Shack, when he realized he'd be one of the 10 qualifiers from that sectional.  Kirk Triplett was in the same sectional, winning the event and qualifying as well. Ty Tryon was also in this qualifier and tied Funk.  The once anointed golf prodigy who hasn't really made the splash in the game which was expected, will have a chance to make that splash at Congressional. A win earlier this year in Tampa combined with a 6th place finish at last week's Memorial moved Gary Woodland from 54th in the world rankings to 41st.  Woodland was scheduled to appear in a qualifier be now doesn't need to. Arnold Palmer's grandson Sam Saunders qualified in the Vero Beach, Florida sectional qualifying. In Columbus, Ohio a large number of players qualified: Chez Reavie, Brandt Jobe, Robert Garrigus, D A Points, Webb Simpson and Tim Petrovik were the notables. The Memphis qualifier in which Garcia qualified also had the following notables make the Open: Briny Baird, Chad Campbell, Brian Gay, Fredrik Jacobson, Andres Gonzalez and Scott Peircy. Sectional Qualifying List To see who did or didn't make the U.S. Open, check out the USGA's Open Sectional Qualifying page.