Steve Stricker plays his way into US Open

COLUMBUS, Ohio: Steve Stricker always knew he would have to take the toughest road to make it into the first US Open in his native Wisconsin. That made it all the more rewarding when he earned his place at Erin Hills through a 36-hole qualifier Monday. And the 50-year-old Stricker did it in style. More than just earning one of the nine spots in the Tennessee qualifier, Stricker closed with a wedge to tap-in birdie range to cap off a 67-65 day and finish first among the nine qualifiers.

“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.”

The US Open starts June 15 at Erin Hills, a public course built on pristine pastureland in Wisconsin that only opened in 2006. Stricker was asked by the original owner, Bob Lang, and USGA executives to come along for a site visit to give a pro’s perspective. He knew he would be 50 when the US Open came to Erin Hills. He never knew it would be such an ordeal getting there. But he made it, and it all felt right.

Andy North has two US Open titles, but no Wisconsin native has more PGA Tour victories than Stricker’s 12 titles, which took him as high as No. 2 in the world. He even wrote a welcome message for the official US Open program, which surely will read a lot better now that he is playing.

“Isn’t that something?” he said with a laugh. “I almost wanted to call them and tell them to take it out.”

Of the 10 sectional qualifiers across the country to fill most of the 156-man field, Stricker attracted the most attention. His brother-in-law and agent, Mario Tiziani, urged him to ask for a special exemption, though Stricker figured he would not get one. He did not, but it motivated him. “Not that I deserved one, but it’s been driving me to achieve this goal,” he said. “And I’m just happy that I’m going to get to play. It’s a relief to get to play in the first one in my home state.”

The largest qualifier was in Columbus because of so many PGA Tour players who were in town for the Memorial.

Stewart Cink was among the 14 qualifiers at Lakes and Brookside. The start was delayed just over two hours because of overnight rain, and it was likely not to finish because of darkness and a playoff for the final spots.

Cink did not even try to qualify last year after his wife, Lisa, was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer a year ago April. She now is doing well enough to travel with him, and that includes a trip to Wisconsin.

“It’s been a tough thing,” Cink said. “I was not in competitive form last year. We were right in the midst of Lisa’s treatment, and we were focused on that, so I didn’t even try to qualify. To come back this year and get through successfully, it really means a lot to me.”