After Dennis Munko walked off the 18th green at Quicksilver Golf Course and posted his 1-under 71 at the top of the scoreboard for the U.S. Open local qualifier yesterday, he was asked to talk about his round.

"Words can't describe how I feel," said Munko, a pro who lives in Leechburg, Armstrong County. "Amazing. A spectacular 1 under on the back nine."

Munko and his playing partner, Trent Karlik, an amateur from McKees Rocks, were co-medalists in the field of 53 and will advance to a 36-hole sectional June 2 in Columbus, Ohio. The other two qualifiers were Dan Payton, a Canadian pro, and David Brown, an amateur from Upper St. Clair. Both went two extra holes in a four-player playoff with Kevin Shields, a golf instructor from Mt. Lebanon, and Patrick Greer, of Windber, Somerset County. All four shot 73s. Shields and Greer are the two alternates.

"It was a little nerve-wracking playing [with Karlik], trying to catch him," Munko said. "But I guess you can say we fed off each other."

Munko has reached the sectionals for the second time. He qualified four years ago at Sewickley Heights.

"I was a little bit more sporadic back then," he said, smiling.

"I'm not getting any younger, I'm 29, and have been playing golf for some 20 years, and it's about time I start playing consistently. There was a lot of pressure out there, with a lot of adrenaline building and your heart pounding. You know you only have 18 holes to do it."

Because there aren't leader boards around the course, Munko didn't know what kind of score it was going to take to earn one of the four qualifying spots.

"I finished birdie-par," he said, "so I felt pretty good about how I held up."

But he wasn't pleased with how he putted.

"I missed four or five putts from about a club length," said Munko, who twice three-putted for pars after reaching par 5s in two. "I thought I would have to go lower."

Payton, 23, who plays on the Canadian Great Lakes Tour, expected to make the drive back to Toronto yesterday without qualifying after he posted a 73 long before Munko and Karlik completed their rounds.

"I'm shocked at the scores," he said. "I didn't think I'd even have a chance. I couldn't make any putts. I've been struggling with my putter inside 8 feet.

"I'm usually 50 percent from that range. I missed four of five. I left a lot of strokes out there."

Payton chose to play at Quicksilver because he enjoyed the layout when he finished 30th in a Hooters Tour event a year ago.

"I like how hilly it is," said Payton, who will play in his first sectional June 2 in New York. "I like the views. I like the scenery. I also like the challenge."

Payton said the highlight of his round was reaching the ninth hole with a 307-yard uphill drive against the wind.

"And I two-putted for the birdie," he said, laughing. "I consider myself a long hitter."