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TSN Senior Reporter

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Jamie Sadlowski is known for hitting long, high, massive drives. But on Monday, he’ll try to show that he has the rest of a game too.

Sadlowski will be one of hundreds of golfers spread out at 10 sites across the United States vying for a spot in the U.S. Open. It’s the final stage of qualifying for the year’s second major.

“It pisses me off,” said Sadlowski of his reaction when he’s told he’s a one-trick pony. “I use that kind of talk to inspire me.”

To be sure, most long drive experts focus on hitting it long, not necessarily getting it into the hole. Most are pretty singular in their abilities. And few hit it longer than Sadlowski, a two-time winner of the World Long Driving Competition and known as one of the longest hitters in golf. He has a personal record of 445 yards.

But the St. Paul, Alta., product will play 36 holes at Springfield Country Club in Springfield, Ohio, hoping to show a complete game. There will be 59 golfers there playing for four spots into the U.S. Open.

A total of 20 Canadians will be in the hunt at the various locations, ranging from PGA Tour players Adam Hadwin, Nick Taylor and David Hearn, to amateurs such as Austin James and Matt Lemay. Graham DeLaet withdrew last week with chipping issues.

Known as Sectional Qualifying, this is the final stage of the two-stage process. Sadlowski won his first stage, the Local Qualifying.

“I really wasn’t thinking about entering,” he admitted, “but my agent signed me up and told me to go and play. And it’s got me excited. I’ve been working hard the last few weeks.”

To add another layer of this unusual story, Sadlowski has noted golf broadcaster Gary McCord working as his caddie. The two partnered at the Local event and will do so again on Monday.

“I know everyone knows him for his fun style on TV,” said Sadlowski, “but when he gets inside the ropes, he’s amazing. He was reading all my putts last time and I made a ton of them. He’s been a huge help.”

The Canadian long-driver has shown all parts of a golf game before. He’s played in a number of Web.com Tour and PGA Tour Canada events, making the cut in the majority of those. And his prodigious length will still certainly come in handy, although there is some irony in the course on which he’ll play.

“It’s only 6,700 yards,” Sadlowski laughed. “Doesn’t really give me much advantage.”

Sadlowski makes his living putting on long-driving exhibitions around the world but he’s always dreamed of playing in a major championship. While the odds of getting in aren’t great, he still has a chance. He’s hoping to show that he can not only drive, but chip and putt, too, and possibly get himself into the field at Oakmont Country Club a week from now.