Qualifying for a tournament can be as stressful as contending at a tournament. (Or so we’ve heard.)
Open qualifiers and US Open qualifiers are regarded as some of the most agonising days on the golf calendar.
This is also true in the life of an amateur golfer, and one competitor in particular succumbed to the pressures of qualification for a prestigious event in America.
Dean Chavez of Ontario was in Position A to make the cut for the South California Mid-Amateur Championship at Goose Creek.
Chavez was 4-under through 14 holes, and the minimum qualifying score proved to be 4-over.
After making par on 15, he dropped three shots at 16 and 17. No need to panic, he could still make nine down the last and be safely in.
But then…
Yes, Chavez made a 12 on the 466-yard par-4 to miss by three.
According to a spectator who was present, Chavez’s tee shot found the water that runs down the right-hand side of the fairway. He took his drop then went for the green, only to find the water again.
His fifth shot cleared the water, but embedded in a penalty area, so Chavez returned to take another drop, but found the water again.
His next shot went left of the green, from where he chipped on and two-putted.
Eat your heart out, Jean van de Velde.
What’s the worst meltdown you’ve ever seen at your club? Tweet us and let us know!
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