U.S. Open notebook: Spieth finishes tied for 38th
• What a difference a year makes at the U.S. Open for Jordan Spieth. Fewer than 365 days ago, Spieth was halfway to a grand slam when he won the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay after taking the Masters two months prior. This year, though, Spieth never found his game, placing in a tie for 38th at 9-over par following an especially disappointing 5-over in his final round Sunday that included a triple-bogey on No. 6 and bogeys on Nos. 3, 11, 16 and 18. “The story of my week is just playing the easy holes poorly,” Spieth said. “You know, 11, 14, and 2, to play it whatever I played them, (6-over) — on those holes, the leaders are playing them under par. Funny thing, is I felt like I didn't have my game this week. If I play the easy holes at even par, I'm still top 5. That's what's tough to swallow leaving this week is you do all this work on this course, and it was the easy little iron/wedge holes that tore me apart.”
• Oakmont head pro Devin Gee's attempt to qualify for the U.S. Open earlier this month came up short. But Gee played in the final round on Sunday anyway. Because 67 golfers qualified for the final two rounds, and with twosomes scheduled for Sunday, the USGA needed a golfer to play in the first pairing as a marker. Gee played with Justin Hicks in the 10 a.m. pairing, the first group off in the final round. “Well, I did not play very well,” said Gee, who said his score was between 80 and 90. “Not quite the way I had hoped (when I attempted to qualify), but ... obviously, it was an unforgettable experience, to say the least.” Gee was told early in the week that he or Bob Ford, Oakmont director of golf, may be asked to mark if needed. Because Ford was a commentator for Fox Sports, Gee got a call 10 p.m. Saturday and was told to be ready.
• The 79 golfers who missed the cut didn't walk away empty handed. They each received a $4,000 check for making it to the Open. Because he didn't have to travel, Pine-Richland graduate Mike Van Sickle probably made out on the deal after paying his caddie. The 66 pro golfers who made the cut at least made $22,231. First place was $1,800,000 and second place was $1,080,000. The total purse was $10,000,000.
