Qualifying for the U,S. Open is tough enough on your best day. But how about a day when you are without your clubs?

Scott Gardiner, an Australian who has played in 15 PGA Tour events this year, got to The Lakes Golf & Country Club on Monday morning in Columbus, Ohio.

His equipment did not. And he had an 8:10 a.m. Eastern tee time.

So he cobbled together a set of clubs with the help of employees who lent him their equipment. He then went out and shot a 7-under 65.

That tied him for fourth after the first 18 holes. He still had 18 holes to play to earn a spot in next week’s U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club outside Philadelphia.

There were 15 spots available from the Columbus sectional.

Gardiner usually plays TaylorMade equipment but went out with clubs from Adams, Callaway, Nike, Ping and Titleist. He also bought a shirt, shorts, glove and a pair of shoes in the pro shop.

“I changed putters all the time,” Gardiner said about using borrowed clubs.

There were 11 sites for sectional qualifying Monday and a total of 57 spots available.

Contributing: Golf Channel, usopen.com

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