It looks like Greg Norman's in for another major disappointment.
And even worse, the Australian's heart-wrenching losses in golf's major tournaments seem to be repeating themselves.In 1987, Norman lost a playoff for the Masters championship when Larry Mize holed out a 140-foot chip shot for birdie.
Maybe the circumstances five years later are a little less dramatic, but another birdie by Mize in another playoff is likely to keep Norman from the U.S. Open field unless a qualifier for the event can't make it.
Norman settled for an alternate's spot in U.S. Open sectional qualifying at The Lakes Club in Columbus, Ohio, one of 10 qualifying sites on Monday.
Norman, who's built a reputation for coming close to winning majors only to lose in back-breaking fashion, was in an eight-man playoff for the final four qualifying spots.
Norman watched as Kirk Triplett and Mize birdied the second playoff hole. Peter Jacobsen and Brian Claar had assured themselves of Open slots with birdies on the first playoff hole.
"I'm disappointed, but at least I tried," said Norman, who got on the waiting list with a par on the third extra hole.
Asked if he agreed with having to go through a qualifier to reach the field, he said, "That's the conditions to get in their tournament. You've got to do what they say you have to do."
There were 57 qualifiers Monday for the U.S. Open, held at Pebble Beach on June 18-21.
Qualifying continues at three more sites today - Forest Hill Country Club in St. Louis, Century Country Club in Purchase, N.Y., and Farmington Country Club in Memphis, Tenn.
At the Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, Ga., play was suspended after 18 holes due to rain and will be finished today.
Low scorer at The Lakes course was Tom Lehman, the 1991 player of the year on the Ben Hogan Tour who had rounds of 66 and 70.
Joining Norman on the other side of the gallery ropes are former U.S. Open champ Johnny Miller, 1984 Masters winner Ben Crenshaw and teen sensation Tiger Woods.
Miller and Woods competed at the Lake Merced Golf and Country Club in Daly City, Calif.
Miller, who blitzed Oakmont for a closing 63 to take the 1973 Open, shot a pair of 77s and was well behind. He was trying to reach the tournament for the first time in five years.
Woods, at 16 the youngest player to tee off in a PGA tournament when he played at the Los Angeles Open in February, had a 151.
Brandt Jobe shot a 69 in the final round to lead 10 qualifers at 142.
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Locals watch
How golfers with local ties fared in qualifying for U.S. Open (qualifying scores varied according to site):
Made cut
Mike Reid 70-70-140
Missed cut
Keith Clearwater 72-72-144
Mike Borich 73-74-147
Dave DeSantis 66-73-139
Kim Thompson 72-68-140
Mike Brannan 76-77-153
Johnny Miller 77-77-154
Playing Tuesday Bobby Clampett, Rick Fehr, Don Forsman
Exempt
Jay Don Blake