Lee Janzen was disqualified from a U.S. Open qualifier Monday because the two-time champion wore metal spikes.
Janzen had finished his first of two rounds at Woodmont Country Club in Maryland when he was approached by an official and asked if he was wearing metal spikes.
“He said, ‘You can’t wear metal spikes,’ and I was disqualified,” Janzen told PGATour.com. “I have never not worn metal spikes. I’ve played in U.S. Open qualifiers every year since 2009 in Memphis [Tenn.] and Columbus [Ohio] and always wore metal.”
Players had been emailed the course rules on May 20, which specifically said spikes were prohibited for the qualifying rounds.
“It never entered my mind,” he told PGATour.com. “Considering I’ve played professional tournaments every week for 24 years now, I had no reason [to look at the rules sheet] to see if I was conforming.”
Metal spikes are allowed at major events, including the U.S. Open, just not at most qualifiers.
Only eight players will advance from the sectional qualifier at Woodmont to the U.S. Open next week at Merion.
