Nashville, Tenn. ? Bruce Fleisher has no regrets about giving up his spot in the U.S. Open.

“The USGA was kind enough to give me a spot because of the (U.S. Senior) Open championship. That doesn’t mean you have to take it,” Fleisher said Saturday after shooting an 8-under-par 64 in the second round of the BellSouth Senior Classic.

The 53-year-old Fleisher played a practice round on Bethpage’s difficult Black Course a few weeks ago, and withdrew last week drawing criticism from fellow senior stars Hale Irwin and Tom Kite.

“I basically did what I wanted to do,” Fleisher said. “I played a practice round and made my decision. I feel the course was unplayable for me. I was willing to give my spot, pass it on to some young aspiring golf pro that earned his position.”