STRICKER MAKES FIELD FOR U.S. OPEN IN HOME STATE

Steve Stricker was disappointed that the U.S. Golf Association denied his request for a special exemption into the U.S. Open, so he went into sectional qualifying Monday with a chip on his shoulder. Perhaps he should play miffed more often. Stricker, 50, of Madison, Wis., shot rounds of 67 and 65 and birdied the final hole to win a sectional in Memphis and earn his spot in the field for the 117th U.S. Open next week at Erin Hills in Hartford, Wis. He finished at 10-under-par 132, one shot ahead of Chez Reavie, Troy Merritt, Andres Romero, Garrett Osborn and Harris English. Stricker, a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour, will be making his 20th appearance in the U.S. Open. He finished fifth in 1998 and ’99.