News
Amateur Golfers Rustand and Lindstrom Qualify for 41st U.S. Senior Open
Jon Lindstrom and Eric Rustand tied for medalist honors and qualified for the 2021 U.S. Senior Open after turning in matching three-under-par 69’s, respectively, Monday at Arizona Country Club. The 52-year-olds also picked up low amateur honors on top of punching their coveted tickets to Omaha Country Club, where the senior major is scheduled for July 8-11, 2021.
“I was two over after three – that was the low,” Lindstrom said. “I worked my way back and birdied four in a row. The course isn’t too long so just I just took advantage of the par 5s.”
“My round was not that fun (as Lindstrom’s),” said Rustand. “I birdied one and two and got off to a good start. Made a couple bogies after and just tried to hold on. The greens were perfect and just super-fast – you can’t get too aggressive. The pins were in spots where you had to pick your position on when to get aggressive.”
John Bearrie and Brian Cooper each shot a two-under-par 68’s in their respective qualifying rounds, and will serve as the first and second alternates after a four-for-two playoff.
The Denver, Colo.-resident Lindstrom survived a roller coaster of a round en route to his golden ticket. Starting on hole 10, Lindstrom went two-over-par on his first three holes, but followed that up a few holes later with four consecutive birdies on holes 18 through three.
He finished out his final third of the round with a lone bogey and eagle to finish four-under-par 32 on the final nine and qualify for the 41st U.S. Senior Open.
“I’m super excited,” Lindstrom said after qualifying for his first U.S. Senior Open. “This is my 20th USGA event I am going to, and this will be the first professional event.”
Rustand’s putter started off hot, carding four birdies on his first eight holes. The former Brigham Young University All-American, who plays out of Tucson Country Club, made the turn with a three-under-par 34 after a bogey on the par-3 ninth hole.
A single birdie and bogey on the back-nine earned him a spot in the field to the “Ultimate Test” in senior golf. This marks the fifth time he has qualified for a USGA Championship – he played in two U.S. Mid-Amateurs and three U.S. Four-Balls with his brother as his partner.
“I am over the moon – I can’t believe it,” said Rustand. “I will have two sons on the bag maybe a wife. There will be a fight over who gets to carry the bag.”
The U.S Senior Open is one of 14 championships conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and one of five major championships on the PGA TOUR Champions. Out of 2,999 applications accepted by the USGA for the event, 156 competitors will play this July for a chance to hoist the Ouimet Memorial Trophy.
For full results: Click Here