After great start to the day, Coloradan Knous falls 2 short of qualifying for U.S. Open
By Gary Baines – 05/20/2019
For much of the day on Monday, Coloradan Jim Knous was in very good shape to qualify for his first U.S. Open.
Alas, Sectional Qualifying is a 36-hole affair, and Knous’ stellar play lasted only about 25 holes Monday in Dallas.
The former Colorado School of Mines golfer (pictured) was 7 under par for the day seven holes into his second round and stood in second place out of the 102-man field. Considering the top 10 finishers in Dallas would advance, a trip to Pebble Beach Golf Links next month looked likely.
But the PGA Tour rookie played his final 11 holes in 5 over par and missed a playoff by two. The Coloradan posted rounds of 66-73 for a 2-under 139 total.
Knous finished the day with an eagle, eight birdies and eight bogeys.
Another PGA Tour player with strong Colorado connections, former Colorado State University golfer Martin Laird, also was inside the qualifying line for a time. But he too struggled over his final 11 holes, playing them in 6 over par, and fell short on qualifying. He went 69-73 to check in at 142.
The other player with local ties in the field, Denver native Mark Hubbard, withdrew during his second round after being 5 over par for the day.
The rest of the U.S.-based Sectional Qualifying for the U.S. Open will take place on June 3.
For all the scores from Dallas, CLICK HERE.