Lakewood, Washington
70 players for 4 spots
The U.S. Open qualifiers always produce some great stories and Derek Barron is one of them. He posted 66-69 to win medalist by five at his home track, Tacoma G & CC.
“No, I can’t quite believe it,” Barron said in a USGA recap. “I’ve wanted to play in (the U.S. Open) since I was a kid.”
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He made the cut in his only start on the Mackenzie Tour last week in prep for the qualifier. He’s mainly a mini tour player and instructor who shot a 59 at a pro-am in 2015.
Joining Barron, 32, at Erin Hills will be Jordan Niebrugge (-2), Max Greyserman (-2) and Daniel Miernicki (-1). Miernicki beat Jeff Rein, Hugo Leon and Matt Marshall in a playoff for the last spot. Rein and Leon earned alternate spots.
Niebrugge, 23, qualified for his first U.S. Open in his native Wisconsin. He rallied from an opening two-over 73 with a bogey-free 67. He’s most known for his T6 at the 2015 Open Championship that earned him low amateur honors.
Greyserman was also outside the cut line after his 62 but rallied with three birdies on the front nine, his last, for a 68. The Duke senior is making his first major start.
The last spot went to Miernicki, a Web.com Tour player and former Oregon Duck who will play in his first major. He’s made only $1,456 on the Web this season but a week like this could turn things around for the 27-year-old. Miernicki followed the same formula as Niebrugge and Greyserman, rallying from an over-par round to squeeze in.