Hoge's Rally Falls just Short in U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying

Tom Hoge, the former two-time Minnesota State Amateur champion from Fargo, staged an impressive rally on Monday, but he came up one stroke short in a U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying in Columbus, Ohio.

The qualifier was played on two courses, Brookside Golf & Country Club and Lakes Golf & Country Club. Both have pars of 72. There were 120 players trying for 14 spots in next week's Open, which will be played at Shinnecock Hills GC in Southampton, N.Y.  

Hoge turned in a 4-under 68 at Brookside in the morning round, but he got off to a shaky start at the Lakes course in the afternoon, making two early bogeys. The former TCU All-American fought back with three birdies in the final 10 holes for 1-under 71, giving hm a 36-hole total of 139. That ended up being one too many. 

The cut was a clean one, with five players tying for 10th place at 138. Had Hoge been able to conjure up one more birdie, he would have forced a six-man playoff for the last five spots.

Hoge is having his best year on the PGA Tour. He is currently No. 70 on the 2017-18 season money list, having made $1,237,288 in 22 tournaments.   


U.S. OPEN SECTIONAL QUALIFYING (players from Minnesota or with Minnesota connections)

Columbus, Ohio

At Brookside Golf & CC (par 72)

& at Lakes G&CC (par 72)

Final results (120 players for 14 spots)

T1. Sungjae Im, South Korea                        67-68--135

T1. Shane Lowry, Ireland                              68-67--135

T3. Keegan Bradley, Woodsstock, Vt.           66-70--136

T3. Brian Gay, Windemere, Fla.                    68-68--136

What it took: 138 (5-way tie for 10th place) 

Failed to qualify

Tom Hoge, Fargo                                          68-71--139

Robert Bell, Pierz                                         67-81--148

Jack Ebner, Edina                                        76-78--154


Portland, Ore. 

At Portland Golf Club (par 71)

Final results (81 for 4 spots)

1. Lucas Herbert, Australia                           66-64--130

2. Christopher Babcock, Shoreline, Wash.   68-65--133

T3. Sulman Raza (a), Eugene, Ore.             71-66--137

T3. Michael Block, Mission Viejo, Calif.        69-68--137

What it took: 137 (2-way tie for 3rd)

Failed to qualify

Donald Constable, Minnetonka                 71-71--142 


Richmond, Texas

At Shadow Hawk Golf Club (par 72)

Final results (52 for 3 spots)

T1. Jacob Bergeron (a), Slidell, La.             64-69--133

T1. Phiip Barbaree (a), Shreveport, La.      68-65--133

3. Chris Naegel, Wildwood, Mo.                  69-65--134 (won 2-for-1 playoff)

What it took: 134 (2-way tie for 3rd)

Failed to qualify

Derek Chang, Atlanta                                 67-72--139

Andre Metzger, Sioux Falls                       70-70--140

Sammy Schmitz, Farmington                    73-69--142

Jacques Wilson, Minnetonka                   74-72--146


Springfield, Ohio

Springfield Country Club (par 70)

Final results (65 for 5 spots)

1. Will Grimmer (a), Cincinnati                   66-69--135

2. Dylan Meyer, Evansville, Ind.                 68-68--136

3. Brian Stuard, Jackson, Miss.                 66-71--137

What it took: 138 (3-way tie for 4th)

Failed to qualify

Brady Schnell, Milford, Iowa                 75-68--143

Brian Hills, Aitkin                                   74-73--147

Max Tylke, Rosemount                          79-74--153

Dan Lensing, Orono                              77-78--155

Ben Frazzini, Wayzata                           78-84-162


Memphis, Tenn. 

At Colonial Country Club - South Course (par 72)

& at Ridgeway CC (par 71)

Final results (117 for 11 spots)

1. Sam Burns, Shreveport, La.                62-66--128

T2. Mackenzie Hughes, Canada             66-67--133

T2. Steve Stricker, Madison, Wis.           68-65--133

What it took: 136 (11-way tie for 9th place) 

Failed to qualify

Troy Merritt, Spring Lake Park             70-75--145


Summit, N.J.

At Canoe Brook Country Club (par 71)

Final results (81 for 5 spots)

T1. Cameron Wilson, Rowayton, Conn. 69-66--135

T1. Calum Hill, Silver City, N.M.             67-68--135

What it took: 137 (2-way tie for 5th place)

Failed to qualify 

Matt Rachey, Waconia                          74-74--148


Surrey, England

At Walton Heath Golf Club (par 72)

Final resuls (120 for 14 spots)

T1. Andrew Johnston, England             65-69--134

T1. James Morrison, England               67-67--134

T3. Richie Ramsay, Scotland                65-70--135

T3. Matthew Southgate, England         67-68--135

What it took: 139 (9-way tie for 14th) 

Failed to qualify

Erik Van Rooyen, South Africa         71-73--144