Cle Elum’s Dan Whitaker seems to have a knack of knowing how to survive at United States Golf Association tournaments.

On Thursday at U.S. Open local qualifying, he was the only man in the field to break par at windy Rope Rider Golf Course at the Suncadia Resort.

Aided by a ninth-hole eagle from the fairway, Whitaker shot a 1-under-par 71 to nab medalist honors.

California Joshua Wood and East Wenatchee’s Kevin PomArleau also sewed up berths to sectional qualifying as co-runners-up at even-par 72. PomArleau is the reigning state mid-amateur champion.

With seven spots available, five golfers at 1-over …

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This week: HP Byron Nelson Championship, Thursday through Sunday, TPC Four Seasons Resort, Irving, Texas.

Gonzales’ first-round score: 4-under-par 66.

Putnam’s first-round score: 1-under 69.

Kelly’s first-round score: 1-under 69.

Position: Gonzales is tied for fourth, and Putnam and Kelly are tied for 44th – all trailing leader Ryan Palmer (64).

Recap: A big welcome back to the PGA Tour for Gonzales, who shared the lead for a good part of the first day as he started 5-under through eight holes. Back-to-back bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes interrupted the streak, but he finished strong with birdies at No. …

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Here is the list of entrants for U.S. Open local qualifying at Suncadia’s Rope Rider Resort. Qualifying is 18 holes:

Here is the link.

This week: HP Byron Nelson Championship, Thursday through Sunday, TPC Four Seasons Resort, Irving, Texas.

World rankings: Gonzales is 229th, Kelly is 406th, and Putnam is 459th.

2012 earnings: Kelly has $68,350 (192nd on the PGA Tour), and Putnam and Gonzales have not cashed in a PGA Tour event this season (although Gonzales has earned $195,810 on the Nationwide Tour).

Last tournament: This will be the third of Putnam’s four PGA Tour starts off his major-medical exemption from last year’s season-ending wrist injury. The Life Christian Academy graduate has yet to make a cut, including his last one at the …

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This week: The Players Championship. Thursday through Sunday, TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Moore’s fourth-round score: 1-over-par 73.

Position: Moore (1-over 289) tied for 46th, 14 strokes behind winner Matt Kuchar (13-under 275), who shot 70 Sunday. Stanley (2-over 146) missed the cut, tying for 86th.

Recap: A pretty solid finish by the Cascade Christian graduate. He began each nine-hole side with back-to-back bogeys, and rallied. After sitting at 3-over for the day, he birdied No. 12 (22-foot putt) and No. 16 (two-putt from 43 feet on par 5).

Next for Moore: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial starting May …

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This week: The Players Championship. Thursday through Sunday, TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Moore’s third-round score: 3-over-par 75.

Position: Moore (even-par 216) is tied for 48th, 12 strokes behind leader Kevin Na (12-under 204), who shot 68 Saturday. Stanley (2-over 146) missed the cut, tying for 86th.

Recap: Sooner or later, the 17th hole bites everybody. And for the first time in his career, the Cascade Christian graduate did not find dry land on his tee shot to TPC Sawgrass’ signature hole. His wedge leaked right and into the pond. He took a penalty shot, and hit his third …

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This week: The Players Championship. Thursday through Sunday, TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Moore’s second-round score: Even-par 72.

Stanley’s second-round score: 1-over 73.

Position: Moore (3-under 141) is tied for 17th, five strokes behind co-leaders Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Kevin Na (8-under 136). Stanley (2-over 146) missed the cut, tying for 86th.

Recap: Moore continued a couple of encouraging streaks Friday. Oen, he is 6-for-6 in The Players Championship cuts made. And secondly, he has now avoided a water-logged result 22 consecutive times at the nerve-wracking 17th hole. Moore was 2-over early on his second nine, but finished …

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TRACKING LOCALS
on THE PGA TOUR

This week: The Players Championship. Thursday through Sunday, TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Moore’s first-round score: 3-under-par 69.

Stanley’s first-round score: 1-over 73.

Position: Moore is tied for 17th, and Stanley is tied for 78th – all trailing co-leaders Martin Laird and Ian Poulter (65).

Recap: Moore seems to really be figuring out how to play this challenging Pete Dye-designed layout, recording his fifth consecutive opening round of par or better at this event – and his second-best score behind his first-round 67, set in 2010. And the real bizarre aspect of …

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