Chris Smith isn't playing in next week's US Open, right now he is seeking his first win in 148 PGA Tour starts and currently holds a one-stroke lead going into the final round of the Buick Classic.
Rain delayed play during parts of the opening two days, Smith was one of 78 players forced to return to Westchester Country Club early on Saturday to finish off a two-under 69 before shooting a 67.
"It has been a long day," said Smith, who is a stroke ahead of second-round leader Loren Roberts and David Gossett.
Smith has just one more day before he returns home to Peru, Indiana, for the first time in six weeks. He won't be playing next week after failing to qualify for the US Open.
"Obviously, the US Open is a tournament that you want to play every year, if you can, and I'll miss it," he said. "But I assume that on Thursday evening when I'm playing golf with my two kids, I won't be missing it too bad."
Smith began the week having missed the cut in six of his last nine starts. He began to turn around his game last week at the Kemper Open, tying for seventh by closing with rounds of 68-67.
"I think that I've finally started putting better," he said. "I got into a rotation of tournaments that I enjoy, and I got into a set of courses that I feel like are good for me."
Smith is one good round from a breakthrough victory. The 33-year-old won five times on the Buy.com Tour before joining the PGA Tour.
"It's something that I've worked for a long time, and it would be great," he said. "On the other hand, if I don't win, I'm still going to be happy when I get home tomorrow night."
AFP