Hoge, Chang, Danielson Qualify for U.S. Open

USGA

Tom Hoge, the former two-time Minnesota State Amateur champion (2009 & 2010) from Fargo, made it into the U.S. Open with two strokes to spare on Monday. 

The qualifying took place on two courses, Germantown Country Club and Ridgeway Country Club, but Hoge didn't seem to notice the difference as he shot 67 on both courses. His 134 total was good for third place at a site where 10 spots were available. 

Andres Gonzales and D.J. Trahan shared medalist honors with 131's. Trahan was out of the top 10 after a first-round 69, but he came back in 62. Gonzales was the 18-hole leader with a 64 and added a 67. 

Things got bunched up right behind Hoge. Five players tied for fourth at 135, including the 2001 PGA champ, David Toms. Another six players tied for ninth, and they had to play off for the last two spots available next week at Oakmont CC. 

In Houston, the qualifier was at Lakeside CC, and a former University of Minnesota golfer, Derek Chang, tied for first with a 137 (69-68). Matching him at that score were co-medalists Kevin Tway and Austin Jordan, and the three of them were the only qualifiers.

Charlie Danielson, the University of Illinois All-American from Osceola, Wis., managed to slip into the Open, but he had to win a playoff against a PGA Tour winner to do it. The former two-time Wisconsin state high school champ, who is still an amateur even though his college eligibilty ended when the Illini lost in the NCAA semifinals last week, shot a 69-70--139 at Springfied CC in Springfield, Ohio. That tied him for fourth with Tony Finau, five behind medalist Nick Hardy, and there were only four spots available.

So Danielson and Finau, who's made $1.373 million so far during the  2015-16 PGA Tour season, played one more hole, and Danielson won it with a par. 


U.S. OPEN QUALIFYING

Memphis

At Germantown Country Club & at Ridgeway Country Club

T1. Andres Gonzales     64-67--131 (11 under par)

T1. D.J. Trahan              69-62--131

3. Tom Hoge                  67-67--134

T4. Derek Fathauer        69-66--135

T4. Andrew Landry         68-67--135

T4. Dicky Pride               67-68--135

T4. J.J. Henry                 67-68--135

T4. David Toms              66-69--135

T9. Sung Kang               67-69--136 (won spot in 6-for-2 playoff)

T9. Sam Burns (A)         67-69--136  (won spot in 6-for-2 playoff) 

Did not qualify

Thomas Aiken          69-67--136 (1st alternate)

Brian Gay                 70-66--136

Robert Garrigus        66-70--136

Whee Kim                 72-64--136



Springfield, Ohio

At Springfield Country Club

1. Nick Hardy (A)            70-64--134 (6 under)

T2. Kyle Mueller (A)        68-67--135

T2. Patrick Wilkes-Krier  66-69--135

T4. Charlie Danielson (A) 69-70---139 (won 2-for-1 playoff)
 
Did not qualify 

Tony Finau                      70-69--139

Troy Merritt                    72-71--143

Sammy Schmitz            73-72--145



Houston

At Lakeside Country Club

T1. Derek Chang              69-68--137 (7 under)

T1. Kevin Tway                 71-66--137

T1. Austin Jordan              67-70--137



Jacksonville, Fla. 

At Timaquana Country Club

1. Aaron Price                    69-66--135 (9 under) 

2. Tim Wilkinson                 69-68--137

T3. Sam Horsfield (A)         68-70--138

T3. Matthew Borchert         68-70--138

Did not qualify 

Jeff Sorenson                     70-WD



Rockville, Md. 

At Woodmont Country Club (North Course) 

1. Billy Hurley                       67-68--135 (9 under) 

T2. Chase Parker                 71-67--138 (won spot in 3-for-2 playoff)

T2. Denny McCarthy            71-67--138 (won spot in 3-for-2 playoff)

Did not qualify

Mike Van Sickle                   71-67--138

Justin Smith                       72-75--147

Jonathan Reigstad            79-82--161




Powell, Ohio

Wedgewood Golf & Country Club & Kinsdale Golf & Fitness Club

1. Carlos Ortiz                          66-66--132 (10 under)

T2. Bryson DeChambeau        70-63--133

T2. Ethan Tracy                       65-68--133

4. Brendan Steele                    66-68--134

T5. Spencer Levin                   71-64--135

T5. Wes Short                          69-66--135

T5. Kevin Streelman                67-68--135

8. Jason Kokrak                       71-65--136

T9. Luke Donald                       68-69--137 (won spot in 6-for-5 playoff)

T9. Scott Scheffler (A)              69-68--137 (won spot in 6-for-5 playoff)

T9. Jason Allred                       68-69--137 (won spot in 6-for-5 playoff

T9. Richard Schembechler      68-69--137 (won spot in 6-for-5 playoff)

T9. Patrick Rodgers                 65-72--137 (won spot in 6-for-5 playoff)

Did not qualify

Daniel Summerhays                67-70--137

Erik Van Rooyen                    70-73--143

Cameron White                      76-72--148

Aaron McClay                         78-79--157