COLUMBUS, Ohio – Michael Putnam has been focused on making the U.S. Open field since the day Chambers Bay was named as this year's venue. For the University Place, Wash., native, it’s home.
The dream came true on Monday at a sectional qualifier in Columbus, Ohio as Putnam and Sam Saunders, playing in the same group, tied for medalist honors at 12-under 132.
Putnam lives a mile and a half away from Chambers Bay and his parents live even closer. The family watched the course being built nearly 10 years ago, and Putnam was among the the first people to take divots there.