2006 U.S Open Local Qualifying #1

Qualifiers:	Total
Matthew Kuchar, Atlanta, GA	69
Greg Kennedy, Cumming, GA (a)	70
Lee Williams, Alexander City, AL	70
Brad Weesner, Lindale, Texas	71
Brad Heaven, St. Simons Island, GA	72  *
Bill McDonald, Marietta, GA	72  *
Pat Phillips, Athens, GA (a)	72  *
Alternates:
1st Michael Clark, White, GA	72  *
2nd Sonny Skinner, Sylvester, GA	73

 

(a)  denotes amateur 
*  determined in playoff 

 

Notes:
Medalist Matt Kuchar of Atlanta, a former Georgia Tech golfer and past U.S. Amateur champion, carded a 3-under 69. Kuchar recorded six birdies (holes 1, 5, 6, 11, 14 and 18) with a bogey at No. 8 and a double on No. 15. Kuchar qualified for the 2005 U.S. Open through the Atlanta (East Lake) Sectional, shooting 75-74 and missing the cut at Pinehurst No. 2.

Just four players broke par on The River Club's 7,182-yard, par-72 layout. Joining Kuchar were amateur Greg Kennedy of Cumming, Ga. (70), Lee Williams of Alexander City, Ala. (70) and Brad Weesner of Lindale, Texas (71). Four players shot even 72, including Michael Clark of White, Ga., Brad Heaven of St. Simons Island, Ga., Bill McDonald of Marietta, Ga. and amateur Pat Phillips of Athens, Ga.

There was a four-man playoff between the players at 72 for the final three qualifying spots and the first alternate position. All four parred the first playoff hole (No. 1), then Clark bogeyed the second hole (No. 9), falling into the alternate spot as the others parred.

Sonny Skinner of Sylvester, Ga., secured the second alternate position as the only player at 73.

A second local qualifier in Georgia takes place Monday, May 22 at Planterra Ridge Golf Club in Peachtree City. Local qualifiers advance to 36-hole sectional qualifying, which takes place at 14 locations across the country May 29, June 5 and June 6. Ansley Golf Club-Settindown Creek in Roswell will host a qualifier on Tuesday, June 6, the only sectional taking place in Georgia.

The 106th U.S. Open Championship will be held at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., June 15-18. Entries were open to any professional and to amateurs with USGA Handicap Indexes not exceeding 1.4. The U.S. Open is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association.