2017 U.S. Open Update: Who’s In and Who’s Out

While most of the news this week has been focused on Phil Mickelson skipping Erin Hills due to his daughter’s high school graduation, there are several other story lines regarding who will and won’t be playing in the second oldest golf major.

Luke Donald, currently 75th in FedExCup points this year, failed to finish in the top 14 in Columbus this week. Despite shooting a respectable five-under in his two rounds, he still finished three shots off the cut line. Donald has been a tough run over the past few weeks. Since finishing second at the RBC Heritage, he’s missed three straight cuts and finished T-78th at the Memorial.

“The last few weeks have obviously been frustrating. I never like to miss events either on the PGA TOUR or European Tour.” – Luke Donald on his recent struggles.

Meanwhile, others have been able to play their way into the tournament. Keegan Bradley, who won the PGA Championship back in 2011, made his play-in cut, along with Stewart Cink and Martin Laird (Bradley and Cink withdrew from this week’s FedEx St. Jude Classic to prepare for the U.S. Open). Peter Uihlein had to sink a birdie at the first playoff hole this morning to qualify. Again, in Columbus, Ohio, the 36-hole qualifier had to be postponed due to rain, so there was a 4-for-3 playoff to determine the last of the 14 spots.

Of course, there’s also this guy named Rory McIlroy, who is planning on returning after sitting out the past few weeks with a rib injury. The four-time Major winner has missed his last two starts, the European Tour’s PGA Championship and the Memorial Tournament, but says he’s ready to get after U.S. Open Championship number two.

“I am ready for Erin Hills and looking forward to playing there for the first time,” McIlroy told The Guardian newspaper.

McIlroy won his first U.S. Open back in 2011 by eight strokes.

But there is no better story than that of 50-year old, Ryder Cup Champion, and Wisconsin-native, Steve Stricker. After being denied by the USGA for a special exemption into the U.S. Open, Stricker did it the old fashioned way. By finishing first in a 36-hole qualifier, Sectional.

“It means a lot,” Stricker said. “It’s been at the forefront of my thinking for a while now. It’s kind of a relief knowing I got in on my own terms. I went through qualifying. I’d rather have it that way. I’m glad I did it this way.”

Stricker shot a 67 and 65, capping off his second round by sticking a wedge for a tap-in birdie. When he tees off on June 15th, it will be his 20th U.S. Open.

And, I imagine, his favorite of them all.

Cover Photo via Flickr