Trey Rule takes positives out of U.S. Open sectional qualifier

Former Mercer standout Trey Rule didn’t reach his goal of qualifying for the U.S. Open, but he walked away from Monday’s sectional qualifier with a pocket full of positives.

“It was my first sectional, so it was definitely a great learning experience,” Rule said. “Knowing that I’m really close and have the ability to play. Just knowing that it’s there, I’ll just keep working hard and getting better.”

Rule, a Gatewood product, had rounds of 71-72 and tied for 11th at 143 at Hawks Ridge Golf Club. He was one of 13 players under par in the 36-man field.

The 36-hole sectional is one of the most intense days in golf, with competitors facing long odds. Only two spots were available for the U.S. Open at the Hawks Ridge qualifier. The task became even more daunting because of the rain that pelted the competitors during much of the morning round.

“It was a long day with all the rain and how the course was playing,” Rule said. “It was playing tough out there. I tried to be patient, and you know that par is a good score. For U.S. Open Sectionals, you’re expecting to go low. The scores were actually a lot higher than I thought they would be. I was expecting to have to shoot double-digits for two rounds.

“The rain makes it hard. You’re trying to focus on making good contact and keeping everything simple, but it’s hard when you’re trying to deal with an umbrella and figure out yardages with rain. You know you’re not going to hit everything perfect, so you just try to keep it on the golf course as much as possible.”

Rule, who now lives at St. Simons Island, finished his first round with birdies on two of his final four holes. His afternoon was solid until a double-bogey hiccup on the 71st hole derailed him.

“I played solid, missed a few putts coming down the stretch, but can’t be too disappointed,” he said. “I had three putts (Monday) that could have got me to 6, 7 under.”

Alex Smalley of Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Stephan Jaeger of Chattanooga, Tennessee, were the co-medalists and earned the two exemptions. Smalley, who will be a junior this fall at Duke, shot a 68-69. Jaeger, a Web.com Tour player, shot 67-70 and will make his second appearance at the U.S. Open.

Davis “Dru” Love IV of Sea Island, the son of 23-time U.S. Open participant Davis Love III, is first alternate. He shot 67-71 138 and beat J.T. Griffin of Wilson, North Carolina, on the first playoff hole.

This story was originally published June 6, 2017 at 12:20 PM with the headline "Trey Rule takes positives out of U.S. Open sectional qualifier."