Deion Sanders. Bo Jackson. Jim Thorpe. JT Miller.
What do these four athletes have in common? They’re all uber-talented at more than one sport.
The key difference, of course, is that Miller hasn’t played more than one sport at the highest level of competition.
But this summer, that could change, as the Vancouver Canucks forward is attempting to qualify for the 2023 US Open Golf Championship, according to a report from the United States Golf Association (USGA). Miller is competing in local qualifying for the U.S. Open on May 15th at The Club of Nevillewood, in Presto, Pennsylvania.
Here’s what the US Open website says about Miller’s participation:
“It is rare when a current professional athlete seeks to qualify for the U.S. Open. National Hockey League standout J.T. Miller, 30, of Pittsburgh, Pa., is such a competitor. Miller, who was selected 15th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2011 NHL Draft before moving on to the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Vancouver Canucks, his current team, has totaled 536 points in 11 seasons. He had 32 goals and 50 assists this past season for Vancouver. While he shoots left-handed on the ice, Miller swings the golf club from the right side. Joining Miller at The Club of Nevillewood, in Presto, Pa., on May 15 are a pair of Oakmont, Pa. residents. Sean Knapp, 61, and Devin Gee, 37, each has ties to Oakmont Country Club, the site of a record nine U.S. Opens. Knapp, who lives two blocks from the club entrance and once caddied there, has played in 53 USGA championship, which includes the 2017 U.S. Senior Amateur title. Gee has served as Oakmont’s head professional since 2016.”
The US Open is open to any pro golfer or amateur golfers with a handicap below 1.4. Miler will be battling 77 other golfers on May 15th for just four qualifying spots. From there, Miller — or whoever wins the qualifying round on May 15th — will move on to the final qualifying running between May 16th and June 5th.
The US Open runs from June 15th to 18th at the North Course of Los Angeles Country Club in Los Angeles, California.
It’s truly great to see how far Miller’s golf swing has come since he and his Canucks teammates visited a driving range in early 2020:
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