This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Oakmont, Pa. • Utah natives Tony Finau and Daniel Summerhays are returning to the U.S. Open, after losses in playoffs in sectional qualifying events made them agonize for a few days.
The two former State Amateur champions were added as alternates Monday, when the 156-player field was finalized. The tournament begins Thursday at Oakmont Country Club.
Finau, a Lehi resident, and Summerhays, of Fruit Heights, were confident about their chances of getting into the field late last week, although the United States Golf Association never publishes the ranking of alternates from the various qualifying sites. The USGA holds six spots for golfers who could qualify by moving into the top 60 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
William McGirt earned such an exemption, with the remaining five spots filled by Finau, Summerhays and three other alternates.
Last June at Chambers Bay in Washington, Finau tied for 14th place in his first U.S. Open appearance and Summerhays tied for 27th in his third Open, after the two were tied for fifth through 36 holes.
In sectional qualifying last week, Finau lost a two-man playoff for the last spot in Springfield, Ohio, and Summerhays was the only golfer eliminated in a six-man playoff for the final five berths in a strong field in Powell, Ohio.
kkragthorpe@sltrib.com Twitter: @tribkurt