By David Shefter, USGA
Tim O’Neal has experienced enough heartbreak in golf to fill a scrap book.
Twice, he’s missed earning a PGA Tour card by a single stroke, including a double bogey on his final hole in the Q-School Finals in 2000. In last year’s U.S. Open sectional qualifying round here at Woodmont Country Club, a major traffic accident in the area cost the Savannah, Ga., native a chance to even compete. What should have been a 10-minute commute lasted 90 minutes, and O’Neal missed his scheduled starting time.
O’Neal, 42, returned this year to Woodmont, where 56 competitors were vying for three spots in next week’s U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. A 3-under-par 69 on the 7,166-yard North Course had O’Neal in a share of third following the morning round.
But O’Neal found himself flirting with heartache in the afternoon.
“I thought I gave it away on the second 18,” said O’Neal. “I was really surprised that 2 under (148) got into a playoff.”
Indeed, redemption finally arrived for the journeyman professional, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica in 2013 who only has conditional Web.com Tour status in 2015. In a playoff against Joshua Persons, of Fargo, N.D., and minutes before a major thunderstorm pounded the area, O’Neal rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt to punch his ticket to the biggest event of his 18-year career. For once, lightning struck O’Neal in a positive way.
Co-medalists Billy Hurley III, of Annapolis, Md., and Denny McCarthy, of Rockville, Md., both of whom shot 6-under 138, earned the first two spots. Hurley (66-72), a 2005 USA Walker Cup competitor and 2004 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, will be making his second consecutive U.S. Open start, while McCarthy (70-68), a 2015 University of Virginia graduate, earned his first U.S. Open trip. McCarthy, 22, advanced to the semifinals of last year’s U.S. Amateur and helped the USA claim the World Amateur Team Championship last fall in Japan.
Those credentials won’t be found on O’Neal’s résumé, but he’s likely bounced around more back roads than Hurley and McCarthy combined. Since turning pro in 1997 after playing for coach Eddie Payton at Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss., O’Neal, the only African American to win the Georgia State Amateur (1997), has competed on the Asian Tour, eGolf Tour, the Morocco-based Atlas Pro Tour, PGA Tour Latinoamerica and the Web.com Tour. He even was sponsored for two years by actor Will Smith.
Read more at USOPEN
After Tiger’s reputation took a major hit following his play at the Memorial, where he shot his worst career round as a pro. This now puts Tiger at 33-1 to win the U.S. Open, 14-1 to win the British Open, 20-1 to win the PGA Championship and 150-1 to top the PGA Tour’s money list by season’s end. Oddly enough, perhaps the only reason the bets are so low is maybe because people love to bet on a 14-time major champion, irregardless of how he played most recently.
And, we all have been there, when we have need a little bit more in the fairway, but did not want to hack into the ground with the bottom of a large head club. The Kick X is a perfect fit for those shots. The Kick X handles this type of shot easily with the small cavity that sits right at the bottom of the club. Another great feature of this club is the “X” that is marked in the middle. The black and orange lines tells you exactly where the sweet spot is, so no more guessing. The colorful orange and white shaft is made by Grafalloy, the widely respected shaft company is known for adding stability to powerful swings. The snug feel of the grip will keep you confident through your swing and combines nicely with the overall look and design of the Blast DriveWay. The Blast DriveWay is a powerful and accurate fairway hybrid wood and an excellent club to have in your bag. Every Blast Driveway comes with this fun protective KICKX® Boxing Glove Headcover! MSRP: $322.17 www.kickxgolf.com
Vermont Nut Free Chocolates makes it easy for consumers to see exactly what all of the ingredients are in its products. Everything is included on the label and, can be conveniently read online. Their non-use of nuts in any of their products is what keeps cross-contamination at zero, consumers with nut allergies can appreciate that, and, can rest assured that they will not be exposed to nuts when enjoying any of the Vermont Nut Free Chocolate products.
GolferPal is magnificently designed to distribute the weight of your bag across all four of its large 10.75″ wheels, making it easy to push, pivot and angle with stable movement on hills and rough or uneven terrain. A clever and conveniently placed brake lever on the GolferPal provides you with extra safety on all sides.
GolferPal is one of the most effortless carts in the word with extra benefits included like a smart storage compartment to hold gloves, keys, a wallet, scorecard, pencil and other miscellaneous items. There is even an on-board beverage holder, golf ball and tee holder. The designers have thought of just about everything.
Specifications:
