Putting woes prevent ex-Rebels from making U.S. Open cut
UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — Former UNLV golf star Ryan Moore said Monday it would be “incredible” to win his first major at Chambers Bay Golf Club, just 15 miles from where he grew up.
Former Rebel Charley Hoffman also seemed poised to contend for this week’s U.S. Open after a career-best ninth-place finish at the Masters in April.
But both players were headed home Friday after missing the 5-over-par cut line.
Moore shot a second-round 4-over 74 to finish at 9-over 149. After teeing off on the back nine and posting a par 34, he was within two strokes of qualifying for the weekend.
But bogeys on Nos. 1, 3 and 5 and no birdies on his final nine holes doomed Moore, ending the 32-year-old’s homecoming two days early.
“I just wasn’t precise enough and didn’t make putts,” Moore told the Review-Journal after his round. “I hit bad shots and made a lot of bogeys.”
Moore wasn’t the only former Rebel to struggle with his putting. Hoffman was among the worst in the 156-player field with the flat stick, averaging 1.92 putts per hole.
“I had a lot of 4-to-6-foot putts that I didn’t make,” he said. “The greens got me these past two days.”
After a first-round 6-over 76, Hoffman made a late push Friday, shooting 2-under 32 on the back nine. But a 2-over 38 on the front nine that included multiple three-putts left him at par for the round. He finished at 6-over 146, one stroke behind the cut line.
Former Rebel Adam Scott (141) and Summerlin resident Kevin Na (142) made the cut but are six and seven strokes off the lead held by Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed at 135.
Na said he’s still holding onto a “small chance” of hoisting the U.S. Open championship trophy Sunday.
Players will post higher scores as Chambers Bay becomes more difficult because of dried-out greens and challenging USGA pin placements, Na said. He predicted that 2 or 3 under will win the tournament.
“There’s still a chance for me,” he said. “It’s not impossible, let’s put it that way.”
Scott declined comment.
Other notable players cut Friday included Tiger Woods (156), Rickie Fowler (154), Martin Kaymer (147) and Bubba Watson (146).
Contact Chris Kudialis at ckudialis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Find him on Twitter: @kudialisrj.
