COLUMBUS, Ohio – With experience comes a different perspective. These U.S. Open sectional qualifiers? “When I was a kid, they were a huge opportunity,” Steve Stricker said. “But now, they’re a good opportunity.”
No slight intended to the U.S. Open, and if anyone doubts Stricker’s commitment to the effort, they only need to know that he played hard in Sunday’s final round to shoot 4-under 68 at the Memorial, intent on gaining momentum for this 36-hole qualifier.
Unfortunately for the 48-year-old Stricker, that momentum never did carry over. After shooting a pedestrian 1-under 71 Monday morning at the softer of the two layouts used, the Lakes Golf & Country Club, Stricker was unable to rally at the Brookside Golf & Country Club, sitting 2 over for his round when the horn sounded for a weather delay at 4:45 p.