Less than a day after the completion of the first Colorado-based U.S. Open Local Qualifying tournament in 2017, we have a lineup change.
Chris Thayer of Golden, who finished second in Monday’s qualifier with a 1-under-par 71 at Walnut Creek Golf Preserve, withdrew from the second and final stage of qualifying. Thayer is planning to get married in a couple of weeks.
Taking his place in the 36-hole U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying, which will be held at 10 U.S. sites on June 5, will be Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield, who shot a 72 on Monday but couldn’t participate in a playoff that evening due to a family matter. Lindstrom had therefore been the first alternate.
Lindstrom (pictured), a three-time CGA Mid-Amateur champion who teamed with Richard Bradsby to win the CGA Four-Ball on Sunday, will be participating in “roughly” his sixth U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying, the last before this year coming in 2014. Before joining Lakewood Country Club, Lindstrom called Walnut Creek (then known at Heritage at Westmoor) his home course. He estimated he’s played it 50-60 times.
“I know where to hit it,” he said on Monday after a three-birdie, three-bogey day. “I know the lines off the tees, where to hit it on the greens.”
The other players who will advance from Monday’s Local Qualifier to Sectionals are Zahkai Brown of Golden, Jake Staiano of Englewood, Josh Seiple of Castle Rock and Pat Grady of Denver.
Two more U.S. Open Local Qualifying tournaments will be held next week, Monday at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora and Tuesday at Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins.
For a story on the Local Qualifying at Walnut Creek, CLICK HERE.
