Open qualifying slow to go

COLUMBUS, Ohio — While 184 players were competing for 33 spots in the U.S. Open, the United States Golf Association was left to face a lot of caustic comments.

With a cumbersome field that included dozens of tour players fighting for limited spots in the Columbus sectional, the pace of play was glacial as officials tried to complete the 36-hole qualifier.

“The USGA needs to apologize to the people of the section here in Columbus for putting 184 people at one site,” said Tom Pernice Jr., who qualified for the Open with a score of 10 under in rounds at The Lakes and Brookside Country Clubs on Monday. “You’ve got some sites with 20 or 16 people. You’d think the USGA would know better, but obviously they don’t.”

The field teed off in threesomes at 7:30 a.m., going off both the first and 10th tees at both courses. The last few groups scrambled to finish as darkness fell. Everyone completed play, but 10 players must return this morning.