Sean O'Hair fails to qualify for U.S. Open

Despite carding 11 birdies in 36 holes, Sean O'Hair of West Chester failed to qualify Monday for the U.S. Open during sectional competition in Columbus, Ohio.

O'Hair shot a 4-under-par 68 in the morning round at Lakes Golf and Country Club but came back in the afternoon with an even-par 72 at Brookside Golf and Country Club. The 140 total left him three shots out of a playoff for the last three of the 16 available berths offered in Columbus for the Open.

O'Hair has participated in four U.S. Opens previously, and his tie for 12th place last year at Pebble Beach was his best finish.

Of his 11 birdies Monday, O'Hair had seven of them on par-5's. He had two bogeys in the morning, both on par-3's, and five in the afternoon against five birdies.

Michael Tobiason Jr., a professional from Wilmington, was the only one of six Philadelphia-area players to make it into the Open. Tobiason fired rounds of 69 and 66 at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md., for a 135 total that got him a ticket to Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.

Two others who played at Woodmont did not advance. Also in Rockville, Christopher Gold (146) of Haddonfield came and Michael Kania (152) of Haverford did not make it.

At Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J., Billy Stewart of Devon had the best score among the locals, a 145, which was seven shots off the last score to make it into the Open. Chris Gray of Newark, Del., carded a 150, while Jonathan Rusk of Yardley fired a 152.

-          Joe Juliano