Fort Vancouver HS alum Spencer Tibbits comes up 1-shot short for U.S. Open in 9-hole playoff

Fort Vancouver High alum and former Oregon State standout Spencer Tibbits came up one shot short of qualifying for the U.S. Open on Tuesday morning at Creswell, Ore.

Tibbits lost in what became a nine-hole playoff with PGA Tour golfer Andrew Putnam. They both finished one shot behind medalist Greyson Leach.

The U.S. Open final qualifying event at Emerald Valley Golf Club began Monday. It had just two qualifying spots and Tibbits, who played in the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, led after the first 18 holes with a 6-under-par 66 - the lowest round of the day.

Then came the sideways rain for the second round, and Tibbits posted a 75. Putnam had rounds of 70-71.

The two played six playoffs holes - making five pars and one bogey - until it became too dark to continue after 42 total holes.

It nearly ended for Tibbits on the sixth playoff hole when his approach shot landed in a bunker, leaving him with a tough shot out. And yet, he saved the hole and the playoff was suspended due to darkness.

Putnam would secure the U.S. Open spot with a par on the third playoff hole Tuesday, the ninth playoff hole overall. Tibbits is the first alternate from this qualifier.

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