“Should focus on hockey” – NHL fans react as Rangers forward J.T. Miller tries to qualify for 2025 U.S. Open

New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller will once again try to qualify for the U.S. Open golf Championship by entering the qualifying round.

“Should focus on hockey” – NHL fans react as Rangers forward J.T. Miller tries to qualify for 2025 U.S. Open

J.T. Miller (Image via Yardbarker)

After not qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs, J.T. Miller is trying to qualify in some other event. The New York Rangers forward is trying to qualify for the 2025 U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont in June this year.

Miller had a tough 2024-25 season. While he started the season with the Vancouver Canucks, reports of some tensions between him and Elias Pettersson came up. At the end of January, he was traded to the New York Rangers.

This trade of Miller marked his second stint with the Rangers, having already played for them from 2011 to 2018. This move also took place at a time when the New York based-outfit were struggling in the season.

In the end both the Canucks and the Rangers failed to make it to playoffs. With his team missing out on the Stanley Cup playoffs, Miller has plenty of free time on his hand.

The 32-year-old is now once again trying to qualify for the U.S. Open. He has taken part in this qualifying tournament before in 2023 but failed to make it with a score of 6-over 78.

Every year, the United States Golf Association (USGA) hosts local qualifying tournaments across North America. To enter such local qualifying events, a golfer must have a 0.4 handicap or be a professional. Miller has a handicap of 0.2, making him a virtual scratch golfer.

Players who advance from these local qualifying rounds then participate in a final qualifying round. If successful in this, then players advance to the main field of the event. So Miller will have to do way better than his previous attempt to stand a chance of making it to the final field.

Social media reacts to J.T. Miller trying his hand at U.S. Open once again

New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller has caused a massive uproar on social media while trying to qualify for the U.S. Open. The forward is one of the top non-golfing names who will be trying to punch a ticket to this major championship.

J.T. Miller
J.T. Miller (Image via NY Rangers Insider)

While some fans bashed him, some trolled him heavily. One user blasted him and claimed that he “should focus more on hockey” than playing in golf events.

Check out that and some other reactions from X below:

This year, the Oakmont Country Club will host the U.S. Open for the 10th time and the first since 2016. This course is located in Pennsylvania, the home state of J.T. Miller. So it makes sense for him to try and see if he can do one better than his previous attempt in 2023.

Who are some other top names trying to qualify for 2025 U.S. Open along with J.T. Miller?

One thing that makes the U.S. Open so special is that it allows any golfer to try and make it to the field. It does not matter whether one is an amateur, scratch, or a local club golfer. This year, New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller is one of the top non-golfing names who is trying to qualify for it. Who are some other notable names though?

J.T. Miller
J.T. Miller (Image via Canucks Army)

One name that stands out is former NFL quarterback Tony Romo. The ex-Dallas Cowboys QB and now CBS broadcaster is no stranger to this sport. Golf great Tiger Woods once labeled him as the best celebrity golfer he has played a round with.

Former NFL running back Danny Woodhead is also in the mix. He has been described as a scratch golfer for most of his post-playing career and has participated in some amateur events.

MLB free agent and former New York Yankees star Aaron Hicks is another name. The outfield is also a scratch golfer. However, his biggest connection to his sport is that he is married to Cheyenne Woods, the niece of Tiger Woods.

This year, the U.S. Open is scheduled to take place from June 12 to June 15. Bryson DeChambeau will enter the event as the defending champion, having won the title in dramatic fashion last year against newly crowned Masters champion, Rory McIlroy.