Ball State University Athletics
Patrick Wilkes-Krier ('06) Qualifies for U.S. Open
June 07, 2016 | Men's Golf
Former Ball State men's golfer Patrick Wilkes-Krier is headed to the 2016 U.S. Open after tying for second place at Monday's sectional qualifier at Springfield Country Club in Ohio.
Wilkes-Krier, a 2006 graduate, posted a 36-hole total of 5-under par 135 (66-69). He was one of four players to advance from the 59-player field in Springfield, joining Nick Hardy (-6), Kyle Mueller (-5) and Charlie Danielson (-1).
Dubbed “the longest day in golf,” Monday's action featured 36-hole qualifiers at 10 sites across the country with nearly 750 golfers competing. A total of 55 earned spots in the U.S. Open, which will be held June 16-19 at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh.
Wilkes-Krier was one of three former Cardinals attempting to qualify, joining PGA Tour Latinoamerica members Eric Steger (2011) and Brian Maurer (2009). Steger finished one shot out of a playoff for the final advancing spot in Memphis, tying for 15th out of 121 golfers. Maurer missed out by four shots at the qualifier in Powell, Ohio.
Among those competing were current PGA Tour players and those who advanced through local qualifying. At the Springfield site alone, Wilkes-Krier defeated the likes of tour players Tony Finau, Brian Stuard, Zac Blair, Matt Jones and Troy Merritt.
Wilkes-Krier will be the sixth Ball State player ever to tee it up at the U.S. Open and the first since Jeff Gallagher in 1999. The most recent Ball State alumnus to compete in one of golf's four major championships was Jamie Broce at the 2014 PGA Championship.
Wilkes-Krier played at Ball State from 2002-06. He was a two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection and a two-time All-America Scholar. The Ann Arbor, Michigan, native holds the Ball State record for lowest 54-hole score (201 at Firestone in 2006) and ranks third in school history with a 74.01 career stroke average.
He played professionally for eight years, primarily on the NGA Tour, and now serves as an instructor for The Kendall Academy at Miles of Golf in Ann Arbor.
