Former Patriot Danny Woodhead advances in U.S. Open qualifying tournament
BOSTON -- The U.S. Open returns to Massachusetts next month. It <em>may </em>involve a former Patriots player and fan favorite in Danny Woodhead.
Woodhead, who last played in the NFL in 2017, advanced in a local qualifying tournament on Wednesday with an even-par 71 at Omaha Country Club in Nebraska.
Woodhead will now play in the final qualifying round on June 6, with a trip to The Country Club in Brookline up for grabs.
3rd and long ➡️ Golf's Longest Day
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) May 12, 2022
Former @patriots (and @nyjets, @chargers and @Ravens) running back @danny_woodhead fired an even par 71 to advance to #USOpen final qualifying. pic.twitter.com/xHXN4CxUKs
Woodhead spent nine seasons in the NFL, first with the Jets, then with the Patriots, Chargers and Ravens. The undersized running back played in New England from 2010-12, rushing for 1,199 yards and 10 touchdowns and catching 92 passes for 982 yards and four touchdowns in 45 regular-season games. He also played in six playoff games for the Patriots, including the Super Bowl XLVI loss to the Giants, catching 12 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 118 yards on 35 carries in those games. He had four catches for 42 yards and a touchdown in that Super Bowl loss to the Giants.
Woodhead was one of five golfers to earn sectional qualifying berths on Wednesday.
"I was able to see a little glimpse last year making the final four of the state match play. I just want to keep getting as good as I can. That's my whole goal. We'll see what happens, but the next month I'm going to be grinding to get ready for sectionals and see what happens," Woodhead told the Omaha World-Herald. "Maybe I just grind to a couple of good scores."