WEST PALM BEACH -- Unless something bizarre happens, there won't be a golfer
named Nicklaus playing in the U.S. Open. The last time that happened, Dwight
D. Eisenhower was president.
Michael Nicklaus, the youngest of Jack's four sons and one of three
Nicklauses who played in Monday's U.S. Open local qualifier at Bear Lakes
Country Club, had the last chance to keep the streak alive when he faced a
25-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole of the Lakes Course. If he made it, he
would have finished at two-under 70 and be one of six players playing off
for five spots.
He missed, the ball curving about 3 inches left of the hole. That left him
with a 71 that put Michael into a seven-way playoff for the first alternate
spot that was eventually won by his more famous older brother, Gary, a
member of the PGA Tour who birdied the first extra hole.
So unless one of the six players who advanced Monday can't play in next
month's 36-hole sectional qualifier, the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black on June
13-16 will be without a Nicklaus for the first time since 1956. Jack played
from 1957-2000, with Gary qualifying last year.
Jack did his part Monday, working up a sweat as he continually criss-crossed
the course he designed to keep up with the progress of his three sons. But
Michael and Gary had to settle for 71s and older bother Jack II a 77.
"I had an idea that last putt meant a lot," Michael said. "I hit a good
putt, but the fringe was just behind the ball and it came off a little weak.
I'm very happy with the way I played, but I'm disappointed I didn't make the
top six."
Just three years ago this month, Michael shot a four-under-par 68 at a U.S.
Open qualifier in Vero Beach to take medalist honors. A year ago, Gary was
national medalist in sectional qualifying to earn a spot in the 2001 U.S.
Open at Southern Hills.
Karma was in Gary's favor Monday. Returning to the course where he easily
earned his PGA Tour card in December, he was hoping the familiar
surroundings would arouse him from a season-long slump in which he's made
two cuts in 11 tries. A double-bogey at the 16th hole proved costly,
although he almost holed his approach shot at No. 18. But when his 6-iron
stopped just inches short of the hole, it proved to be another frustrating
day for Nicklaus, whose wife, Amy, caddied for him.
"I knew I had to birdie 18 to have a chance, and I happened to hit the ball
where I was aiming," said Nicklaus, whose first U.S. Open appearance came in
1997 at Congressional Country Club. "I had that little hiccup on 16, but
this is a lot more solid than I have been playing."
Playing in the final group, Michael's putt provided the lone, late drama on
a day when there were few surprises.
Kevin Johnson, a Bear Lakes member who played on the PGA Tour last year and
has played in the past two U.S. Opens, advanced with a six-under 66 to take
medalist honors. Two other Bear Lakes members, Robert Floyd (Raymond's
youngest son) and Hiroshi Matsuo, shook off recent disappointments to be
among the five players who also advanced with 70s. Matsuo dominated the
Golden Bear Tour in 2001, including a victory in the season-ending Tour
Championship.
Johnson, Floyd and Matsuo were joined by Jupiter's Bruce Zabriski, who won
six professional titles at Bethpage Black while competing as a club
professional; Will Burnitz of Palm Beach Gardens, who previously qualified
for the 1994 U.S. Open; and West Palm Beach Country Club head professional
Greg King.
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