MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Steve Stricker, 50, was the feel-good story of the day as he shot 67-65 and was the medalist at the Memphis sectional to qualify for next week’s U.S. Open at Erin Hills.

He was one of nine players who will qualify out of Memphis, where the PGA TOUR stops later this week for the FedEx St. Jude Classic.

“It’s a relief to have it behind me,” Stricker said.

A 5-for-2 playoff was halted because of darkness and will resume at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Whee Kim, Xander Schauffele and Jonathan Randolph will play for the last two spots out of Memphis; Scott Brown and amateur Davis Shore were eliminated from the playoff on the first hole as rain fell Monday night.

Five players finished at 9 under to also qualify, a group that included Troy Merritt, who will make his U.S. Open debut, plus Harris English, Andres Romero, Chez Reavie and Garrett Osborn.

“I played my first PGA Championship at Whistling Straits,” said Merritt, “and I’ll play my first U.S. Open at Erin Hills. There must be something about Wisconsin. Now I just need there to be a British Open there.”

Trey Mullinax was the sole finisher at 8 under and also qualified for Erin Hills.

Thunderstorms halted play as the late afternoon gave way to evening. “I heard the thunder as I was putting on 18,” said Reavie. “I was just hoping we’d get it in.”

Argentina’s Romero has played just three times this season, with his last start coming at the Puerto Rico Open (missed cut) in late March. He found out between the two rounds of Monday’s sectional that he has gotten into the field for the FedEx St. Jude later this week, then secured his spot in the field for Erin Hills with a 66 in the afternoon.

Next week will mark the third U.S. Open for English.