Ex-Canucks star J.T. Miller trying to qualify for U.S. Open golf tournament again
Former Vancouver Canucks star J.T. Miller’s hockey season may be over but that doesn’t mean he’s done competing.
Miller has traded his hockey stick for golf clubs and is trying to qualify for this summer’s U.S. Open. The prestigious golf tournament hosts local qualifying tournaments across North America, which offer the winners of those events the chance to earn a berth in the main field.
To enter a local qualifying tournament, you must have a handicap under 0.4 or be a professional. Miller’s listed handicap index is 0.2, which makes him virtually a scratch golfer.
Typically, local qualification tournaments have between 20 and 100 players, with roughly one spot for every 20 golfers. If you advance past your local tournament, you head to another qualification tournament with a similar setup. It’s extremely difficult to make it through as an amateur.
Miller has attempted U.S. Open qualification multiple times before, including when he was with the Canucks. He played in 2023 but failed to make it out of the local qualification round, shooting a plus-six 78.
The U.S. Open is one of the four major professional golf tournaments, alongside The Masters, The PGA Championship, and The Open. This year, the U.S. Open is being hosted by Oakmont Country Club and will take place from June 12 to 15.
Oakmont is located in Pennsylvania, which is also Miller’s home state. It would be extra special if the NHL star could qualify for this event, being held so close to where he grew up. This is the 10th time the prestigious golf club will host this tournament, the most of any course.
Miller’s home course is listed as Sewickley Heights Golf Club, which is less than an hour’s drive from Oakmont.
The Canucks had a segment before last season where Miller played with PGA Tour professional Adam Hadwin. Hadwin was born in British Columbia and is a known Canucks fan. The two played a few holes together for the Canucks social media channels.
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One of the quirks of Miller’s golf game is that while he shoots left in hockey, he’s a right-handed golfer.