Hoffman, Tambellini, Blake earn spots in the U.S. Open
Former UNLV standout and PGA Tour veteran Charley Hoffman secured a spot in next week’s U.S. Open by winning the sectional qualifier Monday in Columbus, Ohio. Hoffman shot a 65-68 — 133 over 36 holes, tops in the field of 120 players vying for five spots.
Roger Tambellini, who won the Las Vegas qualifier at TPC Summerlin last month, also qualified for the U.S. Open, finishing second in a field of 120 at the Newport Beach, Calif., sectional with a 36-hole score of 69-68 — 137. Veteran Jay Don Blake of St. George, Utah, also qualified by winning his sectional in St. Louis with a 36-hole score of 71-68 — 139, gaining one of two available spots in a field of 42.
Among those failing to qualify were former UNLV stars Chris Riley, Chad Campbell, Andres Gonzales, Bill Lunde, Derek Ernst and Kevin Penner, current Rebel Carl Jonson, Las Vegas’ Anthony Aguilar and Nick Killpack, and Henderson’s Craig Barlow.
The U.S. Open begins June 13 at Merion Golf Club outside Philadelphia.