U.S. OPEN QUALIFYING
Parker McLachlin shot a 1-over 145 yesterday on the Arnold Palmer Course at Turtle Bay Resort to earn a spot in the U.S. Open during a sectional qualifying tournament.
Parker off to Open
The golfer shoots 1-over
at Turtle Bay to earn a spot
in the U.S. Open
Parker McLachlin sat behind the scoreboard at the 18th green on the Arnold Palmer Course at Turtle Bay Resort, too tired to be excited.
Granted, he was the first player to win at the inaugural U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier. But he had to hold off veteran local pro Kevin Hayashi during a grueling 36-hole, nearly 12-hour event to do it.
The Punahou School graduate, who played college golf at UCLA, carded a 1-over 145 to beat Hayashi by three shots in the 11-man qualifier. Next week, he will be playing in his first U.S. Open, something that hadn't sunk in minutes after signing his scorecard.
"I'm too tired to really know exactly what it means," McLachlin said. "My knees started to buckle over that par putt at No. 18. I played a lot of golf today in stressful conditions. But it still feels great to win."
This is the first time a sectional qualifier was held in Hawaii, one of only 13 nationwide. USGA executive committee member Mary Bea Porter-King fought long and hard the past few years to get a qualifier in Hawaii.
One reason McLachlin came back from the Hooters Tour to play here was because of Porter-King's efforts. He also was very familiar with the course and the windy and rainy conditions that sweep across it on a regular basis.
"The conditions here will be similar to what it will be like at Shinnecock Hills (in New York), which should help," McLachlin said. "I know this sounds crazy, but playing at the U.S. Open is the same as playing anywhere else; you have to keep the ball inside the ropes to win.
"I can't imagine what it will be like, I'm sure. I came back here to play because Mary Bea worked so hard to get a qualifier here in Hawaii. It's a great thing for local golfers trying to qualify. To be able to play here was a huge advantage for me."
McLachlin opened the morning round with a 1-under 71. It would be the only round in red figures among the 11 qualifiers trying to earn the one spot to New York. McLachlin held a slim one-shot lead over Hayashi, who opened with a 72, and a two-shot advantage over local favorite Joe Phengsavath.
During the afternoon 18 holes, Phengsavath made several runs at McLachlin. He was playing in a two-man group ahead of the 25-year-old.
"And I had my chances," Phengsavath said. "I had a double bogey at No. 16, which took me out of it. It was just a bad break. But I'm happy for Parker. He played well in tough conditions."
Actually, they were normal conditions for the par-72 course. It rained off and on all day. Once the showers left town, a windy, beautiful sunny day greeted the fortunate few trying for the U.S. Open. McLachlin took advantage by opening up a six-shot lead on Hayashi. Then came No. 10.
"I just hit a bad shot into the water off the tee and then hit another bad shot in the water off the side of the green," McLachlin said. "The result was a triple bogey. The 20-foot putt for par I made at No. 11 was really a difference-maker for me."
It kept Hayashi from pulling to within one shot of the lead. He remained two shots behind throughout the final holes, before bogeying at the 18th.
"I knew I needed an eagle at the final hole," Hayashi said. "I wound up with a bogey. It's disappointing to get so close. But I'm happy for Parker. He played the best today."
Hayashi finished with a 148, shooting a 76 over the final 18. Phengsavath finished with a 149 and Brian Sasada had a 152.
"Conditions were really tough today," McLachlin said. "I feel very fortunate to be going to the U.S. Open. I leave for North Carolina (today), then on to New York next week. It's a great feeling."
