It hurts when you miss a Monday qualifier for a US PGA Tour start by a shot.
It hurts more when it comes after missing a short birdie try in a playoff.
But when it’s two blokes from your home town who cut your lunch, that’s next level.
Welcome to Ryan Ruffels’ plight after the young Victorian narrowly missed out on making the Travelers Championship field in Connecticut this morning.
Ruffels, a Golf Australia rookie squad member, was one of seven players tied at five-under-par 67 at Ellington Ridge Country Club with two others ahead automatically advancing into the four spots available in Thursday’s main field.
And the Melburnian, who has already used his seven sponsors’ exemptions to play on the US PGA Tour this season and is trying to earn enough FedEx Cup points to ensure he makes the Web.com Tour finals, had his chance but missed a birdie try from 1m during the three-hole showdown.
But then, almost to rub salt in the wounds, fellow Victorians Stuart Appleby and Cam Percy poured in birdies of their own on the third extra hole to snap up the prized starts.
“Missing a 3 footer in a playoff to get into Travelers Champ hurts big time,” Ruffels later tweeted.
“(But in) good news, I’m posting low numbers. #backonthehorse #keepgoing.”
Torquay’s Jarrod Lyle was in the hunt early but disappointed late in his round in a 74 that left him relying on three withdrawals to reach the final field based on card status.