Long drive takes DeForest right to spot in U.S. Open

Instead of the U.S. Open qualifier round ending on the green, it ended on the tee box.

Recent University of Illinois graduate Chris DeForest hit close to a 400-yard drive in the playoffs to eagle the par-5 18th hole Monday at St. Charles Country Club.

“I was pretty nervous as would anybody,” DeForest said. “I was like, there’s no reason to guide this one down the middle, and it was just hit long and hit it straight, and I thought that was the best game plan for me.”

Before the playoff round — where DeForest, Rockford native Brad Benjamin and St. Charles native Blake Biddle competed for two spots to advance to the U.S. Open — 57 players competed for three spots over 36 holes.

From those two rounds of golf only one outright player advanced: Bennett Blakeman, who shot a total 9-under-par 135 for first place.

From there, DeForest, Benjamin and Biddle, who all shot a total 8-under 136, competed for the remaining two spots in a playoff round.

Benjamin sealed his spot after he birdied the first hole as the other two shot par. That left the last spot for either DeForest or Biddle.

Just finishing his freshman year at UNLV, Biddle was familiar with the course, knowing family and friends who are members.

That led Biddle to compliment DeForest’s drive on the 18th hole, saying as DeForest approached the ball, “I’ve seen a lot of drives on this hole, and that’s by far the longest by 40 (yards).”

After DeForest putted his third shot to make eagle, Biddle came off the course not looking disappointed. While hugging family and friends he said, “I didn’t lose it. He won it.”

DeForest, Benjamin and Blakeman will attend the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., from June 13-19.

Blakeman attended the Open last year to finish, as he says, “dead last.” This will be DeForest’s and Blakeman’s first appearance at the U.S. Open.

Biddle and Lino Lakes, Minn., native Andrew Paulson (7-under 137) will be the alternates.