John Huh makes U.S. Open cut
On a weekend in which major champions succumbed to the elements, Crescenta Valley High alumnus John Huh played himself out of contention, but can still count himself among the world’s best at the 113th edition of the U.S. Open.
On Saturday, Huh, playing in his first-ever U.S. Open, finished off the final five holes of the second round and then played 18 holes of third-round action in producing a nine-over-par three-day total of 219, which tied the reigning PGA Rookie of Year for 31st overall with a slew of players, including world No. 1-ranked Tiger Woods.
“Well, I guess that’s the good thing and that’s the positive way to look at it, but I’m not happy,” said Huh of being tied with Woods.
A former area resident who now lives in Dallas, the world No. 95-ranked Huh will tee off Sunday at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. at 9:24 a.m. PDT with 2012 Players Championship winner Matt Kuchar.
Each is hoping to get within striking range of three-day leader Phil Mickelson (one-under-par).
“I’m not really doing well and I’m not really happy,” Huh said. “I’d like to get under par.”
Huh opened Saturday with extended action, having to finish off the final five holes of the second round due to darkness calling a halt to play on Friday.
The break apparently hindered Huh’s momentum.
Huh was initially one-under-par through 13 holes of the second round and broke even overall when he began at 4:15 a.m. PDT with his final five holes.
Unfortunately for Huh, the 23 year old immediately struggled, bogeying the par-four, 453-yard 14th hole.
The setback was a harbinger of future issues, as Huh bogeyed four of the final five holes, only breaking even on the par-three, 206-yard 17th hole.
Huh’s final five-hole score of plus-four left him with a second-round total of three-over-73 and was a reversal from his first round, in which he shot one-under on the last five.
Despite the late problems, Huh still finished with a four-over-par through two days and easily flew under the eight-over-par two-day cut.
As for the third round, perhaps the extra workload took its toll, as Huh bogeyed six holes in carding a five-over-75, which produced a three-day total of 219.
For a second straight round, Huh finished four-over on the final five holes. His lone birdie of the entire round came on the par-four, 370-yard 11th hole.
Huh’s extended outing Saturday was due to rain that hit Merion on Thursday and Friday.
While Huh was able to play a full round Thursday, his original tee time of 7:51 PDT on Friday moved back to 1:51 p.m., which only allowed Huh to finish 13 holes.
Even though Huh shot nine-over-par in 23 holes Saturday, he can still count himself among the fortunate who survived the cut, which claimed some notable golfers, including former U.S. Open champions Graeme McDowell (13-over-par) and Angel Cabrera (15-over-par).
“I’d like to get into the red and get under par. I haven’t done that yet, so that’s my goal,” Huh said. “Obviously with so many people over par, it’s a tough course and it plays tough. I still haven’t played my best and that’s what I’m going to try to do.”