Woodhead making run toward U.S. Open field

New England’s love affair with Danny Woodhead started early and seemed to grow exponentially with every game he played for the Patriots, writes Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald.

It was hard not to fall for the pint-sized running back, who fell into the Patriots’ lap after being released by the Jets one game into the 2010 season.

Woodhead (pictured) was the little engine that could, a 5-foot-8 dynamo coming out of Division II Chadron State in his native Nebraska, defying long odds to make it to the NFL.

And now, a decade after his run with the Patriots ended, Woodhead is once again making the improbable come true.

After advancing in his local qualifier in Omaha, Woodhead is a step away from qualifying for the U.S. Open, which is being played at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., from June 16-19.

If he makes it through a 36-hole final qualifier on June 6 at Springfield (Ohio) Country Club, Woodhead will return to New England, only this time, as a burgeoning golfer.

Woodhead said he even has to pinch himself every so often when he thinks about how far he’s come in a different sport, and what might lie ahead.

“Would it be special? Oh my gosh, it would be special to somehow qualify. Not a lot of people get to do stuff like this,” he said. “And for (the U.S. Open) to be in Brookline? That’s the craziest thing about it. That’s where everything started for me in my career. Yeah, sure, I was with the Jets, but (New England) is really where it all started.”