COIN TOSS determines outcome between two golfers at US Open qualifier!
Chris DiMarco's son pays the price of leaving early.
Cristian DiMarco — son of three-time Tour winner Chris DiMarco — paid a costly price for leaving the site of his U.S. Open local qualifier in Orlando early on Wednesday.
Because neither he nor the player he'd tied with for the final qualifying spot were present at Orange Tree Golf Club, officials flipped a coin to decide who would advance to U.S. Open sectionals. DiMarco lost the coin toss and became the first alternate. The place went to Luis Gagne.
DiMarco is currently ranked 253rd in the men's amateur world ranking, and he last year won the Florida Amateur by four strokes.
According to LPGA player Christina Kim, who was at the course when the incident occurred, DiMarco was not pleased when he found out what had happened.
"The one that lost the coin toss actually called the pro shop when I walked in and did not enjoy the results when given to him," she wrote on Twitter. "I can assure he will never bolt early again."
The USGA said the coin toss is a proper procedure for determining a tie for the last qualifying spot and that the Florida State Golf Association had acted appropriately.
The USGA also engaged in some chastising of both players for making the coin toss necessary: "It is unfortunate that the players did not remain on property to determine the last qualifying spot through their play."
Andy first joined the brand on a month's work experience back in April 2011, and he now assumes the Editor role. When Andy joined GolfMagic it was a small site with potential.
