Canucks’ JT Miller fails to qualify for US Open, but was close to it through nine holes

Golf is a funny game. For anyone who’s ever played a round — regardless of level — you know the highs and lows of the sport. You know the frustrations of a bad day on the course, the feeling of being what you swear will be one more bad shot until you put away the clubs for good.

Later that same day, you make solid contact, and you’re right back where you started, chasing that feeling anytime you swing a golf club. It’s a challenge unlike many others, and it’s one that Vancouver Canucks forward JT Miller craves.

Last week, news broke that Miller was going to be attempting to qualify for the US Open. Miller spoke more about the decision, and how he’d be accompanied by his father Dennis as his caddie, with NHL.com’s Kevin Woodley.

“My dad got me into golf when I was a kid, so I know he really enjoys it and it’s just a fun day for us,” Miller told Woodley. “Honestly, it’s just so much different than what I do year-round, to turn the brain off and try to have fun and you’re putting everything out for real. I enjoy competing in general, but it’s really not as serious. I’m not expecting to move on. It’s just a nice day to see what I can do against guys that eat, breathe and sleep golf. It’s a good test for me.”

Miller may have said that he didn’t expect to move on, but he wasn’t all that far off.

Miller finished his round on Monday with a score of 78, six over par, which placed him in a five-way tie for 36th place. The top four of the group of 78 move on. The best score of the day went to Brandon Pluchinsky and Mike Van Sickle, both of whom shot 3 under par. If Miller had managed to shoot -2 or even -1, he would have had a chance to move on.

Through the front nine holes, Miller was in good shape, shooting even. Had Miller finished even, he would have tied with three other golfers for 8th place. Unfortunately, Miller bogeyed seven of the last nine holes while mixing in a birdie on hole 15, leaving him with a final score of six over par.

The fact Miller was able to not only hold his own but keep things very close through nine holes while competing against actual semi-pro and even some professional golfers is quite remarkable. Miller may have been doing it “for fun” but his showing on Monday was downright impressive.