Rob McClellan's golf career took a big step forward Thursday at Quicksilver.

It hopes to take a giant step forward June 5 at the Brookside Golf and Country Club in Columbus, Ohio.

McClellan, 26, of Butler shot a 1-under-par 71 Thursday at Quicksilver Golf Club to become one of five qualifiers for the U.S.Open regional qualifier in Columbus.

The top 15 to 20 golfers at that 36-hole June 5 event will move on to the prestigious U.S. Open, one of the majors on the PGATour, June 15 to 18 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

"They take a lot of golfers from that Columbus regional because the Memorial Tournament is out there and a lot of the regular tour golfers will be playing in that regional,"McClellan said. "Most of the other (regional qualifiers) only take one or two golfers."

This marks the fourth time McClellan, the second assistant pro at Olde Stonewall Golf Club in Ellwood City, has attempted to reach the U.S. Open and the first time he's gotten past the local qualifier.

Last year at Quicksilver, he missed moving on by a single stroke.

Thursday's qualifier was played in rainy and windy conditions.

"A 73 was good enough to move on last year and under those conditions, I figured a 73 would be good enough again,"McClellan said.

The local qualifier was only 18 holes and McClellan's round began well enough. He parred the first three holes before sinking a 30-foot chip for eagle on the No. 4, par-5 hole.

He three-putted on the No. 6 and No. 8 holes, both par-3s, for bogeys and was at even par at the turn.

On the par-3 No. 11 hole, McClellan's drive stopped two feet from the hole and he tapped in for birdie. He reached 2-under-par for the round on No. 15, using his driver, 5-iron and two putts to birdie the par-5 hole.

"Then I three-putted on No. 16 (par 4) for bogey, but I figured I was in,"McClellan said.

He was right.

Kevin Shields of Bethel Park shot a 3-under 69 while Ryan Sikora of Greensburg shot a 2-under 70. McClellan placed third, followed by fellow qualifiers Sean Farren of Oakmont and Gordon Vietmeier of Pittsburgh, who both shot 1-over 73s.

Other area golfers in the 70-player field included Travis Dickson, who shot a 75, and Mars golfers Ryan Smith and Ryan Swierczynski, who carded 81 and 85, respectively.

McClellan won two major area tournaments last year, the Sewickley Heights Invitational and Calloway Odyssey at Shannopin.

"I feel like I'm playing smarter, more consistent golf now,"McClellan said. "I've learned not to be so aggressive all the time. There are times to play the higher percentage shot rather than the risky shot."

McClellan said he'll prepare for the June 5 qualifier by continuing to play area section tournaments and practice at Olde Stonewall.

"I generally work five days a week,"he said. "If I work from noon to closing, I'll practice in the morning. If I work from 7 a.m. to 4, I'll practice afterward.

"It's nice to get this far. But there's a long way to go."