Amateur Brad Nurski, 29 of St. Joseph shot a 3-under
par 69 to lead all qualifiers in the local qualifier for the U.S.
Open Championship. Nurski's 3-under par performance at the 7,215
yard The Golf Club at Creekmoor was three shots clear of his nearest
fellow competitors Steve Groom and Brice Garnett. Groom of Raytown
and Garnett of Gallatin each shot even par 72. Six players shot
1-over par 73 and played off for the remaining three qualifying
places.
In the hole-by-hole play-off, Dalton Owens, of Mount Vernon and
Will Hogan of Ozark both made par at the second play-off hole to
qualify. Jace Long of Dixon earned the final qualifying place when
he chipped in for birdie on the third play-off hole edging out future
MU teammate Peter Malnati of Columbia. Malnati is the first alternate
and will replace any of the qualifiers if they have to withdraw
from Sectionals. Also in the play-off were Chad Judd of Olathe and
Gary Woodland of Dallas.
All six qualifiers are slated to play in the Sectional
at Boone Valley in Augusta, which is near St. Louis. The championship
will be held at Torrey Pines June 9-15 in San Diego.
