TO: Palm Beach Post Sports Desk
FROM: Larry Bush, 561-686-9287
SUBJECT: U.S. Open, local qualifying at Hobe Sound GC, requested by Craig Dolch
DATE: May 19, 2005

HOBE SOUND - Brazilian Philippe Gasnier fired a four under par 68 to earn medalist honors Thursday at Hobe Sound Golf Club in his first attempt to qualify for the U.S. Open.

A regular on the Minor League Golf Tour this spring, Gasnier, 26, made three birdies in a row starting at No. 7 and also birdied the first and 16th holes. His lone bogey came at the par-4 15th hole.

"This is my second year in the U.S. and I am feeling very comfortable with my golf," Gasnier said. "I have been playing very solid recently. It was pretty good, very exciting, to make three birdies in a row."

Gasnier won an MLGT event April 4 on the Estate course at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens and he currently ranks third on the money list with $2,181.83, cashing checks in seven of his eight starts.

In 2004, Gasnier won the Brazil Open and earned $18,447 while playing sporadically during the winter, spring and summer seasons on the Golden Bear Tour. He will compete this summer on the Grey Goose Gateway Tour.

Gasnier will play his sectional qualifier June 7 at Old Memorial in Tampa. The 105th U.S. Open is scheduled June 16-19 on the heralded No. 2 course at historic Pinehurst Country Club in the North Carolina sandhills.

Four players tied at 69. In a playoff for the last three berths, Clint Jensen of Palm Beach Gardens was eliminated with bogey at the par-5 first hole. Among those advancing were Robert Floyd of Palm Beach Gardens, son of 1986 U.S. Open champion Raymond Floyd. The others were Trump International head professional Lee Rinker and Ryan Armour of Silver Lake, Ohio, a mini-tour player.


U.S. Open, Local Qualifying
Hobe Sound GC, Hobe Sound, Fla.
6,620 yards, par 72

The qualifiers:

Philippe Gasnier, Brazil 32-36-68
Ryan Armour, Silver Lake, Ohio 35-34-69
Robert Floyd, Palm Beach Gardens 36-33-69
Lee Rinker, Jupiter 33-36-69

The alternates:

1. Clint Jensen, Palm Beach Gardens 37-32-69
2. Todd Peluso, Palm City 37-33-70
3. Chris Deaner, Dublin, Ohio 35-36-71
4. Alan Morin, Royal Palm Beach 35-36-71