05u.s. oPen Qualifying
u.s. open sectional qualifying commences today at
11 venues around the country, and although there is
intrigue at every site—charlie wi flew to glendale,
calif., right after the memorial to try to qualify from
his home course of oakmont cc, and 17-year-old
Jordan spieth will vie for one of four spots to come out
of dallas ac, to name just two compelling storylines—
most eyes will be on columbus, ohio, and memphis,
where many of those attempting to qualify come from
the pga tour ranks. at memphis, sergio garcia will
try to advance to his 48th straight major championship, a streak dating to the 1999 british open when he
too was a teenage wonder. but even if he is one of the
10 players to advance from tunica national, garcia’s
major streak is in jeopardy. having recently withdrawn
from british open qualifying, garcia’s chances of playing in the oldest major come down to him qualifying
off a mini money list of pga tour events leading up to
the british, climbing back into the top 50 in the world
ranking or by finishing high in a select event prior to
royal st. georges. that said, it would be a shame if he
didn’t play in either of the game’s great opens—not
just because he’s a fan favorite, but because win or
lose, success or fail, the outspoken garcia always
makes news.—John Antonini
streeter lecka/getty images
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