Having recently turned 49, Sandy resident Mike Weir will be among the oldest golfers in the U.S. Open field next month.
Weir advanced through sectional qualifying Monday in Dallas, shooting 69-67 to tie for fifth place and earn one of 10 available spots among 102 contestants. Weir shares a birthdate with Jim Furyk, who's exempt for the 2019 U.S. Open, scheduled June 13-16 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. David Toms, 52, is eligible to play as the reigning U.S. Senior Open winner.
St. George resident Jay Don Blake was the oldest player in the 2013 field, at 54. That's also the same year when Weir last competed in the U.S. Open.
Weir is playing on the Web.com Tour this season, in advance of his PGA Tour Champions career that will begin in May 2020. He plays annually in the Masters as the 2003 champion and barely missed the 36-hole cut at Augusta National Golf Club in April. Weir shot 72-76. With the co-leaders at 7 under, Weir could have posted a 3-over total for 36 holes and advanced, thanks to a 10-shot provision. But after rallying with birdies at Nos. 13 and 14 in the second round, he missed the green with his approach and bogeyed the par-4 No. 17.
Five other Utahns advanced through U.S. Open local qualifying last week at Riverside Country Club in Provo and will compete in sectional events: BJ Staten, Patrick Fishburn, Mitchell Schow, Kenny You and Steele DeWald.