Amateurs Take Center Stage at U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying - 2017

June 05, 2017

Full Results Photos

The Longest Day in Golf spanned from sunup to sundown, with 10 U.S. Open Sectional Qualifiers being held across the country.

Here in Southern California, 103 players competed for six coveted spots in the 117th U.S. Open at Erin Hills GC. Playing two rounds one at Big Canyon CC and one across the street at Newport Beach CC hopeful qualifiers battled championship nerves and fatigue in a true test of golf.

Stewart Hagestad, who is arguably having the best amateur golf year in the nation, was able to highlight a group of five amateurs and one professional in this year’s crop of qualifiers.

The 2016 U.S. Mid-Amateur Champion took advantage of his exemption into The Masters by finishing as low amateur at Augusta in April, and continued his hot play in Newport Beach, earning a spot in the year’s second major by putting together two consistent rounds amid immense pressure.

Hagestad fired a two-round total of 135, which included a second round 4-under 68 on Big Canyon CC, a course in which he was crowned club champion a month back. Not to mention his childhood home overlooked the 8th green.

“I don’t think there’s even an argument in terms of people who would know this course better than me,” said Hagestad. “The comfort level is there.”

John Oda’s stellar two-round total of 132 which included 13 birdies earned him medalist honors, while Mason Andersen’s 8-under 64 at Big Canyon the low score of the day on that course afforded him a cushion to coast into the U.S. Open field. Oda, a member of the UNLV men's golf team, is heading to his first major, as is Andersen, an 18 year old Arizona native who will be heading to Arizona State for his freshman season in the Fall.

Sahith Theegala, the Pepperdine University standout who made his PGA TOUR debut at the Genesis Open at Riviera this past February, plotted around Newport Beach to the tune of an even-par 71 before going ballistic in an impressive second-round 65, which included seven birdies in an eight hole stretch amid strong afternoon winds at Big Canyon.


“After my first round I really didn’t think I had any shot,” said Theegala. “So I decided to just have fun with my roommate and teammate Roy [Cootes] who was on the bag. I was playing free, started to strike it well and just put things together.”

The lone professional to qualify was Kevin Dougherty, who needed an up-and-down on the final hole to secure his spot. The Oklahoma State alum is embracing the opportunity to check in with old hometown friend Rickie Fowler.

“I’m super excited to get out there and meet up with Rickie,” said Dougherty. “I’ll get to pick his brain regarding playing in a major."

It didn't take long for Fowler, who like Dougherty had amateur success in Southern California before turning pro, to shoot his buddy a text. "See you at Erin Hills," he said.

And on a day that first began with five qualifying spots here in Newport, the luckiest man in the field may be Cameron Champ. At 6 a.m. PT, one hour prior to the start of the event, Newport was granted a sixth qualifying spot after withdrawals in Columbus weakened their field. In fitting fashion, as the Longest Day in Golf isn’t complete without a playoff, Cameron Champ fought off a setting sun and Bradon Wu to earn the final spot after a one-hole playoff, draining a 40-foot putt to end the playoff in record time.

All six of the qualifiers will compete in their first ever U.S. Open next week Erin Hills GC.



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