Long-drive champion Jamie Sadlowski wins U.S. Open qualifier
Two-time World Long Drive champion Jamie Sadlowski can do a whole lot more than hit a golf ball really, really far. The Canadian is also an accomplished golfer…who just happens to be able to drive a lot of par 4s.
So, when his agent and former long-drive champion Art Sellinger challenged Sadlowski to try to qualify for the U.S. Open, Sadlowski was game.
Not only did Sadlowski get through to U.S. Open sectional qualifying on Tuesday, he won the 18-hole event at D.C. Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz. Sadlowski made seven birdies en route to 5-under 65 finish as medalist.
“People figure you hit it a long way you ought to be able to shoot low, but you still have to get it in the hole, and I did that pretty well,” Sadlowski told Golf Digest. “It’s nice to be able to prove that I can do more than hit the ball far.”
His caddie got to see him mix distance and touch, too. CBS Sports’ Gary McCord, who plays golf regularly with Sadlowski in Arizona, was on the bag for the win. Then again, McCord didn’t need to offer a lot of advice. Digest reports Sadlowski used driver just three times, relying more on his 300-yard 2-iron off the tee to set up short and mid-irons into the greens.
Sadlowski has competed in four Web.com Tour events before, making the cut three times. However, he had never given thought to trying to get in the Open until Sellinger laid down the gauntlet.
The next step for Sadlowski is getting through one of the USGA’s 36-hole sectional qualifying tournaments — on Golf’s Longest Day — to earn a spot at Oakmont C.C. in June. McCord will be on the bag again, and Sadlowski hopes to compete in the qualifier held in Columbus, Ohio, where many PGA Tour players and other pros compete after the annual Memorial Tournament in nearby Dublin. It offers the most spots in the Open of any sectional qualifier because of the depth of its field. Sadlowski will already be in town to give a demo at the behest of Columbus-based Nationwide insurance. He could also put on a show en route to his first major berth.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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