VIDEO: Chris Crawford sinks 40-Foot putt to Qualify for U.S. Open
Chris Crawford reacts to 40-foot putt that sent him to U.S. Open
(USGA Photo)
SUMMIT, NJ (June 7, 2016) -- Improbable stories are
what define the build up to the U.S. Open. Year after
year remarkable moments happen throughout U.S.
Open qualifying that leave us shaking our heads in
amazement.
This year's that jaw dropping moment belongs to
22-year-old Drexel golfer Christopher Crawford.
Let's set the scene a bit, Crawford stood on the
final green of Canoe Brook Country Club’s North Course
with a birdie putt and in a five-way tie for the final U.S.
Open qualifying spot. The only problem was the birdie
putt was a long one, 40-feet long. With his college
coach Ben Feld on the bag Crawford drained the putt
and in a blink of an eye was on his way to Oakmont
Country Club.
“Everyone who grows up playing golf dreams of
that
moment, and I thought of it there: this putt is to get in
the Open,” Crawford to the USGA. “I looked up when
the putt was about halfway there and I knew it had a
chance, but after it went in, it was kind of a blur.”
Crawford, put himself in a strong position after a
first round 7-under 65 but struggled during the days
second round and after a bogey on 17 he was 2-over for
the round and 5-under overall. The bogey on 17 meant
Crawford needed a birdie on his 36th hole of the day to
qualify.
By draining the 40-foot birdie putt Crawford, from
Bensalem, PA
avoided a five-way anything can happen playoff.
Crawford was the only amateur to qualify at Canoe
Brook Country Club and his putt knocked out fellow
amateur Mike McCoy.
-The USGA contributed to this story
ABOUT THE U.S. Open Final Qualifying
Final qualifying for the U.S. Open Championship.
Played at various sites across the U.S. on the
Monday a
week and half
before the U.S. Open. There is also a qualifier in
Japan
and in England. 36 holes of stroke play at each
site.
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