Funk, Tryon qualify at Woodmont

In the afternoon, Funk (6-under-par 135), who has struggled this year with his swing, made five birdies in a span of seven holes on Woodmont’s difficult North Course, catapulting him to one of ten qualifying slots in a field of 112.

Half of those who qualified were from the Nationwide Tour – medalist Kirk Triplett (133), Jon Mills (134), Elliot Gealey (135), Will Wilcox (136), and Bubba Dickerson (136). Ironically, Sunday’s runaway winner of the Prince George’s County Open, Steve Wheatcroft, withdrew from the qualifier, walking off the course after 22 holes. He shot a 5-over 74 on the South Course, the easier of Woodmont’s two 18s.

Also qualifying were mini-tour players Michael Tobiason (135), of Wilmington, Del., David May (136), a former Clemson standout, and Christo Greyling (136), a former player at Georgia.

None has the experience of Funk, who broke down in a post-round interview, overcome with emotion on a day when his family joined him on the course, including his 15-year-old son, Taylor, who caddied.

“I didn’t know what I was doing. I kind of lost it for a while,” Funk said of his swing. “I been working on some things to try to get better and I just went the other way.”

Funk, who will celebrate his 55th birthday on the Tuesday of Open week, has missed five straight cuts this year on the PGA Tour, his longest streak since he joined it in 1993. This weekend in the Principal Charity Classic, Funk placed 72nd his worst showing ever on the Champions Tour.

Tryon (135) finished with a flourish on the easier South Course, saving par on No. 17 after a one-footed shot from a fairway bunker, and making a birdie putt on the final hole.

“I thought I needed one more birdie. I thought 6-under would do it,” Tryon said, who qualified with a stroke to spare. “I’m excited to go back to the Open. I think I’m better prepared to deal with it this year. I’m a much better player than I was a year ago.”

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