He failed miserably but he also didn't have a 5 year exemption.
Yeah, I think the discussion is at least different if he wins, versus the suggestion that he turn pro regardless and play the Nationwide as was suggested.
The announcers were commenting in the last couple days that just making the cut at the Open gets players directly into Phase 2 of Q-School (talking about John Peterson the fact that he had no playing privileges on any tour). I know there are other playing exemptions at play here at least with other majors.