Kevin Sutherland is not in the field for this week’s Reno-Tahoe Open or the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.
Since Sutherland qualified for all four major championships this year for the second time in his career (2002 was the other), something had to give for his sanity, sharpness and family’s sake. That was the Reno-Tahoe Open.
“Not playing is probably the hardest decision I have to make all year,” the Sacramento resident said of his de facto home tournament. “I’ve enjoyed going there. I have family that lives in Reno. This year, it just doesn’t work.”
Sutherland’s accomplishments over the past two years are superior to many in the 80-player WGC field limited to Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup team members, PGA Tour and select international tournament winners in the past year, and the top 50 in the world ranking. Sutherland is No. 64.
So he’s using the time off before next week’s PGA Championship to recharge. Two weeks are ideal – especially after trips to the British and Canadian opens – the first to rest and the second to start practicing again.
“It’s all mental,” he said. “One hundred percent. Your brain just gets recharged. You focus so much easier.”
How many weeks in a row is he comfortable playing?
“When I was younger, sad to say, six was pretty easy,” he said. “Five in a row is doable now.”
Scott McCarron, a Sacramento native and former Rancho Murieta resident, is in the field. The Reno resident serves as the unofficial tournament host.
Elk Grove’s Spencer Levin is also playing. Through 33 of the PGA Tour’s 47 tournaments, Levin is No. 127 on the money list – the top 125 retain full playing privileges for next year.
Et cetera
Six players with local ties completed 36-hole stroke-play qualifying Tuesday at the U.S. Women’s Amateur in St. Louis. Advancing from the field of 156 into the 64-player match-play bracket: UC Davis junior Alice Kim. Failing to advance: First Tee of Greater Sacramento regular Casie Cathrea, Sacramento’s Danielle Cvitanov, Placerville’s Chelsea Stelzmiller, Gold River’s Lauren Dobashi and Sacramento’s Heather LeMaster.
• Roseville’s Tanner Makimoto has qualified for the U.S. Amateur. He will join Folsom’s Kevin Lucas, Auburn’s Colby Smith and UC Davis junior Austin Graham at the Aug. 24-30 championship in Tulsa, Okla.
• The inaugural Athletes vs. Cancer Invitational hosted by NBA players Matt Barnes and Bobby Jackson is Saturday at Woodcreek. Current NBA players scheduled to play include Gilbert Arenas, Stephen Jackson, Baron Davis and Jason Thompson. Former NBA players include Chris Webber, Doug Christie, Reggie Theus and Mitch Richmond. Tickets are $15 and on sale at the gate, online and at several Roseville locations. Go to www.athletesvscancer.com for more information. Gates open at 9 a.m., and golf begins at 11:30 a.m.
