Miller Chips In, Bows Out, of Valero Texas Open

Mike Miller at Texas Open, screenshot by Erick Schaller

Mike Miller capped his PGA Tour debut at the Valero Texas Open yesterday with a chip-in birdie on the 17th hole before missing the cut by a respectable two strokes in the storm- and wind-challenged event. His play was plagued by erratic approaches that led to ten bogeys, but his power off the tee showed tour-level strength in the four other birdies (in addition to the chip-in) he put on his card.

Miller's 74/75, 149 total, put him in the company of multiple major winners Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, and David Toms, as well as defending champion Martin Laird, among the many other top players who will be sitting out the weekend. Miller played, by the way in a threesome with Andrew Loupe, who was tied for second, one stroke off the lead, when play ended on Friday. Loupe punched his card to the PGA Tour on the Web.com Tour last year.

The chip-in was a thing of beauty that could have been ugly. Miller drove the green on the 347-yard par four, pounded his 86-foot eagle putt past the hole and off the green, then chipped in to put him briefly on the Golf Channel highlight reel. The screen shot above was posted within minutes on Facebook by Erick Schaller. 

In his two days, Miller showed some serious game. He out-drove the field with a 300-yard average vs. 289. He lost three-quarters of a stroke to the field putting, which isn't bad considering the goofy greens on the TPC San Antonio course, but his real downfall was missing eight of ten greens due to off-line approaches. Overall, his GIR was 44% vs. 57% for the field. It was a classic demonstration of Mark Broadie's conclusion about the importance of the approach game in Every Shot Counts.

Miller will be back on tour in the near future. His appearance here was with a sponsor's exemption, but as he continues to hone his game, gets used to life on the road and settles into the work necessary to make it in the big leagues, he'll soon rate more Golf Channel coverage. 

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Miller Advances to Q-School Stage Two

Mike Miller    photo Hunter Martin/USGA

Mike Miller advanced through the first stage of Q School today on the Magnolia Course at Pinewild Country Club of Pinehurst, NC.  His 3-over 291 was good enough for a T-23 finish and the chance to compete in stage 2 next month.

Miller, past MGA player of the year who turned pro this year just before the Met Open, opened the four-round event with a 71 on Tuesday, then pushed it down to four under with a 69 on Tuesday. Yesterday, he slipped to a 75 and finished today with a bogey-laden 76. It was good enough to advance, though, which is the goal at this point in the long slog to earn a spot on the Web.com Tour. The next qualifying stage will be held next month.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Hot Tournament Week For Local Standouts

It's been a busy week for local standout golfers at championship tournaments across the country.

Cameron Young at US Junior Amateur Championship
photo by USGA/Steve Gibbons

Just a few minutes ago, Cameron Young advanced to the Quarter Finals in the US Junior Amateur Championship in a 24-hole match that was delayed by weather yesterday afternoon. He defeated George Cunningham of Tucson, AZ, with a birdie on the sixth playoff hole in what was (so far) the longest match of the tournament this week.

Young, 16, tees off against Doug Ghim or Arlington Heights, IL, in the Quarter Final match that will be telecast by Golf Channel midday. The championship is being held at Martis Camp Club in Truckee, CA. Eliminated in the round of 16 was Jim Liu, 17, or Smithtown, NY, was won the event in 2010 and was last year's runner up.

Yesterday, Burning Tree Assistant Pro and mini tour player Danny Balin won his second consecutive NY State Open at Bethpage Black. The 31-year old finished the three rounds seven under par, two ahead of Andrew Guiliani, and pocketed $17,500 in the process.

Nicole Morales, the 16-year-old  from South Salem who plays out of GlenArbor, got nipped one down in the round of 32 at the US Girls' Junior Amateur Championship. Bethany Wu of Diamond Bar, California eliminated Morales.

Max Buckley and Cameron Wilson two under after two rounds and were T-14 at the Porter Cup at Niagara Falls when play in the three-round tournament resumed this morning. Mike Miller was at even par. US Walker Cup Captain Jim Holtgrieve is scouting the tournament as the committee prepares to fill out the final five spots on the American side for the biennial event against Great Britain and Ireland.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf