Massachusetts firefighter Parziale makes cut at U.S. Open

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) The Massachusetts birthplace of boxing champions Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler will have another favorite son to root for this weekend.

Brockton firefighter and Mid-Amateur champion Matt Parziale made the cut at the U.S. Open on Friday, the first Mid-Am to survive the first two rounds since 2003. So while big names like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will be going home, Parziale will be at Shinnecock Hills on Father's Day with his dad, Vic, as his caddie.

''I don't know why you wouldn't dream and try to do the best you can,'' said Parziale, who also earned an invitation to the Masters with his Mid-Am victory but missed the cut.

''Anything is possible,'' he said. ''It's been up and down, but I've always enjoyed trying to get better.''

Parziale was one of three amateurs to make the cut, which was at 148, or 8 over.

Will Grimmer was the low amateur through 36 holes at 5 over, and Luis Gagne was 6 over. Parziale had to sweat it out after a bogey on No. 17 put him at 8 over - the projected cut line at the time - before a birdie on No. 18 gave him a little breathing room.

Well, maybe sweat isn't the right word.

For a guy who makes his living fighting fires, golf isn't exactly the hardest part of his week.

''Being a firefighter is complete chaos, and this is more controlled. You're by yourself. Firefighting, you're part of a team,'' said Parziale, whose father also was a firefighter in the Boston suburb that calls itself the City of Champions. ''I would never want the two to cross. They're both separate, and I like keeping them that way.''