McDONALD, PA (93.7 The Fan) – He’d rather be playing hockey, but being a good enough golfer to be in a US Open qualifier was how New York Rangers forward JT Miller spent Tuesday. He was one of 84 golfers at the local qualifier at Quicksilver Golf Club.
The East Palestine, Ohio native said if he’s lucky he plays three times a week in the offseason, but this was as much to be out on the course with his father and a buddy of his.
“The goal is to not be available to play in this event,” Miller said forcing a smile. “Unfortunately, that’s what happens. I had a month to practice. The game felt good coming into here. Typically, it comes down to making putts, that’s what those guys are better at doing.”
It was putting that doomed his chances. He finished with four, three-putts, shooting a 76 which was four shots from being in a playoff to be an alternate.
“I’ve played in three of these now,” Miller said of local US Open qualifiers. “I think the nerves get better and better, but today on the first green, I couldn’t even hold the putter.”
He enjoys the competition, the opportunity to pit himself against the best in the area. Miller is realistic and happy with how he finished. While playing a much more violent sport for a living, he respects what these athletes do.
“Way different,” Miller said of the comparison to hockey, “Feel like I’m on an island out there which I why I respect the game of golf and golfers so much. In hockey, you have everybody else out there to bail you out. It’s such a team-oriented game.”
“Here, you stay in the right frame of mind. I’m so very rookie to all of this.”
So many can’t master one sport, Miller is great at two. It also provided him the opportunity to be close to home, spending Mother’s Day with the family.
Soon enough he’ll return to hockey and his first season with Mike Sullivan as head coach.