Flanagan advances in US Open Qualifying
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2005 US Open | General | 12 May 2005
Last year Nick Flangan had the luxury of a guaranteed start at the US Open courtesy of his win at the 2003 US Amateur. This year he is having to do it the hard way.
Flanagan was one of 8500 hopefuls looking to join 550 other graduates from 107 stage one venues over the next two weeks to advance to stage two. At stage two those 550 will join 290 others at twelve venues across the US, one in England and one in Japan in an attempt to gain a place in the US Open at Pinehurst #2 on June 16th.
Today Flanagan negotiated the first first hurdle when he shot 64 to be the leading qualifier at his venue in North Carolina. Bobby Clampett, the NBC commentator shot 65 to be in joint second and guaranteed of advancing until he was informed of being penalised two strokes for being late to the first tee. Even with the two shots he still managed to get into a playoff for one of the final places but missed out. Clampett is appealing the ruling.
The news wasn’t as good for close mate, James Nitties. Nitties, the 2004 Cadbury Schweppes PGA Championship runner-up also competed at River Landing and despite shooting four under par, missed qualification by one shot.
