HOUSTON - Former University of New Orleans golfer Jose Toledo took first place at a local U.S. Open qualifier at Lakeside Country Club on Monday to advance to the sectional round of qualifying.
Toledo shot a 4-under 68 to join David Lee, Lance Lopez and Ryan Nelson for the top spot in the qualifier. Three other golfers also qualified out of the local event by virtue of their results, including C-USA Golfer of the Year Michael Whitehead of Rice University.
The sectional stage of qualifying for the U.S. Open is a 36-hole, one day event held at several locations in the U.S. with one each in Europe and Japan.
The top finishers from the sectional stage, which will also include members of the PGA Tour, advance to the U.S. Open which will be played at Congressional Country Club in June.
Toledo is no stranger to competing in qualifying tournaments, reaching the second round of PGA Tour qualifying last fall.
During his career at UNO, Toledo was twice named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) Player of the Year while qualifying in 2007 for the NCAA East Regional as an individual.
The Guatemalan native is playing on the Adams Pro Tour in 2011 and his results through five tournaments have included a tie for sixth at the Southwest Louisiana Lions Club Open in March.
Playing the Adams Tour in 2010, Toledo was No. 2 on the money list and had four top five finishes, including a victory at the East Texas Open.
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