The field for the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club is all but set, and while a UPS driver was cruelly denied his chance at making the cut, Charlie Woods has been sent a stark warning
This UPS driver failed to qualify for the U.S. Open in agonizing fashion(Image: Nick Barrett/The Baltimore Sun)
The line-up for the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club is nearly finalized, but some big names didn’t make the cut.
Rickie Fowler and Max Homa will notably be missing in Pennsylvania later this month after succumbing to ‘Golf’s longest day. ‘However, a UPS driver missed out on the opportunity to even complete the 36-hole Final Qualifying due to an unusual circumstance.
In other news, Tiger Woods’ son Charlie has been making a splash following his first win at an American Junior Golf Association event in Florida. Despite starting his first AJGA Invitational ranked outside the top 600, he now sits at No. 14 and has received a valuable piece of advice from golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
Jason Day also had a peculiar mishap this month, while Ian Poulter was another victim of U.S. Open qualifying disappointment, as we keep you up to date on all things golf.
UPS driver’s U.S. Open dreams crushed
A 31-year-old UPS driver from Maryland secured a spot in the final 36-hole qualifier at Woodmont Country Club on Monday, with dreams of making it to Oakmont. However, a devastating mistake put an early end to his aspirations. Nick Barrett shot an opening 73 during ‘Golf’s longest day,’ having qualified for the event last month with a score of 68 in local stages. But when playing partners Cole Miller and Jason Li went to the scorer’s tent to sign their cards, Barrett was nowhere to be found.
“I stood up after I had a hot dog or something at lunch, and I felt my back pocket, and I felt the scorecard in there, and as soon as I did that, my heart went straight to the bottom of my stomach,” Barrett recalled when speaking withThe Baltimore Sun.
Barrett was disqualified this week(Image: X/Nick Barrett)
The delivery driver had neglected to sign and submit his scorecard, and with roughly 20 minutes elapsed since play ended, he faced disqualification, dashing any hopes of making the U.S. Open.
“It’s kind of hard to express, but just disappointment in myself because at the end of the day, it is my responsibility as a player,” he lamented. “I can’t blame anybody but me. It’s just a total gut punch.”
Jason Day’s ‘freak’ injury
Former USPGA victor Day is gearing up to lead a strong Australian contingent at the U.S. Open this month, although his recent athletic journey has been marred by injuries.
The 37-year-old missed the cut at the PGA Championship due to a herniated disc hindering his preparation. Moreover, he had to pull out from the Memorial Tournament following a wrist injury prompted by a ‘freak’ mishap.
Day has shed some light on his wrist issue(Image: Getty Images)
“Long story short, I was moving a bike and something popped in my (left) wrist,” Day divulged during The Loop podcast. “I couldn’t move it for at least a week, week and a half. It’s a two-to-four week wrist injury. It’s not going to be, like you’re going to have it and overnight it’s going to get better.
“It’s getting better now. The way that I moved it, it was just like one of those freak accidents. It felt like I had tendonitis in there for like two or three weeks. So when that happened, I was just like, it was bound to happen at some point.”
Jack Nicklaus warns Charlie Woods
Everyone’s eyes are on Woods, son of the iconic Tiger, after the young talent snagged his first AJGA title, prompting speculation on whether he can handle the immense pressure of his father’s legacy.
Woods won for the first time at an AJGA event last week(Image: Getty Images)
Golf legend Nicklaus has weighed in on young Woods’ budding career by paralleling it to his own son, Gary’s journey into professional golf. He recalled how Gary struggled with the spotlight and high expectations from a very young age.
“It ran him out of golf,” Nicklaus told AP about his son’s issues. “Gary would get off the 18th and run to the car so he didn’t have to talk to the press for about two years. I think it’s tough on kids. It’s difficult for them. It’s even tougher today. Charlie is a nice little player. He’s got a beautiful little golf swing. Does he want to follow his father? Does he realize what’s going on?
“My kids played because they wanted to play, not because I wanted them to play,” he continued, discussing the lesson he taught his children.” That was sort of my rule of the house. Don’t play golf because of me, play golf because that’s what you want to do.”
Ian Poulter’s U.S. Open agony
The conclusion of the U.S. Open’s Final Qualifying was met with its share of letdowns, and even British Ryder Cup and LIV Golf heavyweight Poulter, absent from shooting, shared in the disappointment.
His son, 20-year-old Luke, had his eye on a coveted slot at Oakmont during Tuesday’s action and seemed set to clinch it until he faced off against Austen Truslow in a playoff at Emerald Dunes Golf Club.
Ryder Cup icon Poulter was proud of his son’s effort(Image: Getty Images)
Alas, despite showing great promise, the University of Florida talent fell short when his rival notched a birdie at the second extra hole, cruelly ruling out Luke’s shot at the major.
Remaining ever the supportive father, Poulter took to social media after witnessing the playoff drama, writing: “Luke lost on the second extra playoff hole to a birdie.
“I can’t believe how impressive today’s 65 was to get him in that position. We keep using this incredible experience, and we keep getting better.”
