Former U.S. Open Champion Got Eliminated From Qualifier in the Most Brutal Way

The former U.S. Open champion won't take part in this year's tournament.

Former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover won’t be competing in this year’s tournament after a stunning turn of events at Monday’s qualifier in Columbus, Ohio. 

Glover was one of 103 players competing for 11 spots in the field. He shot a first-round 73 but got back in contention with a second-round 63 in the 36-hole qualifying format. That put him in a four-way playoff for the final three qualifying spots. 

On the third playoff hole, Glover had a very, very short putt that he needed to hole in order to extend the playoff. Incredibly, he missed it, and with it missed his chance to be at the Los Angeles Country Club later this month. 

Glover won the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black, having earned his spot in the field by prevailing in the Columbus qualifier. He’s struggled on tour as of late, missing the cut in four of his last five tournaments and not having finished higher than tied for 36th at any tournament this season. And since only players who have won the U.S. Open in the past 10 years qualify automatically for this year’s tournament, Glover needed to go back to Columbus to try to land a spot in the field. 

Notable players who did qualify in Columbus on Monday include 2009 Open Championship winner Stewart Cink, Olin Browne Jr., the son of former PGA Tour pro Olin Browne, and Luke List, who finished tied for 16th at The Memorial last weekend.