AURORA -- Jim Grady is quick to point out that he and his brother, Pat, are "not exactly lovey-dovey," but that didn't diminish the moment Tuesday as the siblings from Broomfield both qualified for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.

A field of 140 competed Monday and Tuesday for just five spots in the national tournament, and the Gradys nailed down two of the berths.

"It's pretty cool," Jim Grady said. "Our dad is probably more happy than either of us will admit to being, (but) I'd rather have (Pat) qualify than anyone else."

The brothers, teammates at Broomfield High and the University of Colorado for much of the last decade, not only will be going to the U.S. Publinks, but they'll be doing it in a year when the national tournament will be played in Colorado. Aurora's Murphy Creek Golf Course, also the site of this week's qualifying, will host the U.S. Publinks July 14-19.

It'll be the first U.S. Golf Association championship forJim Grady, who at 23 is a year older than Pat, whose only previous USGA event was the 2004 Publinks.

Pat Grady, the 2007 Colorado Golf Association amateur player of the year, sank a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 1-under-par 70 Tuesday and an even-par 142 total. Jim Grady shot a second-round 71 to end up at 143.

"It's pretty awesome that we both got in," Pat Grady said. "I know two brothers made it into the U.S. Amateur last year (Allen and Daniel Gambill of Hickory, N.C.), so it makes it kind of unique."

Joining them in advancing to the national tournament will be medalist Riley Arp of Fort Collins, a Colorado State University golfer who shot 71 to finish at 2-under 140, and University of Wyoming teammates Gabe Maier (72-142) and Zach Zaremba (74-143). Zaremba is a resident of Pueblo West.

Pat Grady, whose titles include the State Stroke Play, State Match Play and State Publinks, was particularly motivated to qualify for the nationals. That's both because the tournament will be held in his home state and because he's been hungry to compete after redshirting last season at CU.

"I wanted to play in this so bad," said the senior-to-be. "This is an absolute thrill."

Pat Grady overcame a shanked shot on his second hole Tuesday -- which led to a double bogey -- to grind out a sub-par round, making 10-foot putts on each of his last two holes. Grady said it was particularly satisfying to finish strong after recently losing the tournament lead with a 5-over-par final nine holes at the Southwestern Amateur in Albuquerque, where he said he "choked his guts out. That makes what I did today that much better."

Jim Grady, who just wrapped up his senior season at CU, was planning to turn pro almost immediately and play in a couple of pro tournaments had he not qualified for the Publinks.

"That took a lot of the pressure off and made it easier to qualify," said Grady, who figures he's attempted to qualify for almost 20 USGA events, with this being his first success. "That was the first time I wasn't nervous in an event like this."

Now, Jim Grady said, he may wait until after the U.S. Amateur -- or at least the qualifying tournament -- before he gives up his amateur status.

U.S. Publinks qualifying

At Par-71 Murphy Creek GC

Aurora

Note: Qualifiers advance to U.S. Publinks, set for July 14-19 at Murphy Creek GC in Aurora.

QUALIFIERS

Riley Arp, Fort Collins 69-71--140

Pat Grady, Broomfield 72-70--142

Gabriel Maier, Cody, Wyo. 70-72--142

Jim Grady, Broomfield 72-71--143

Zachary Zaremba, Pueblo West 69-74--143

ALTERNATES IN ORDER

Jason Rudquist, Bloomington, Minn. 74-71--145

Brian Richmeier, Aurora 73-72--145

OTHER 54-HOLE SCORES OF LOCAL INTEREST

Jon Lindstrom, Broomfield 73-72--145

Derek Tolan, Highlands Ranch 76-73--149

Jeremy Deems, Boulder 71-80--151

Riley Andrews, Highlands Ranch 78-74--152

Brian Larson, Longmont 78-77--155