BROOKLINE, Ma. – It wasn’t without a little late drama, but at least one U.S. Walker Cupper made it to match play.
Stanford junior Patrick Rodgers needed to survive a 17-for-15 playoff early Wednesday morning at The Country Club to advance to the match-play portion of the U.S. Amateur. He has a tough draw in the Round of 64, however: former North Florida All-American Sean Dale, who two weeks ago lost in the finals of the Western Amateur.
At least Rodgers will have a chance to capture the Havemeyer Trophy. The other four 2013 U.S. Walker Cup members – Michael Kim, Max Homa, Justin Thomas and Cory Whitsett – weren’t as fortunate.
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Kim, the third-ranked amateur in the world who made the cut at the U.S. Open, shot rounds of 81-73 and missed the stroke-play cut by 10 shots. Homa, the 2013 NCAA champion, posted 78-71. Thomas, who will turn pro after next month’s Walker Cup, had 75-72, while his former Alabama teammate, Cory Whitsett, missed by two at 72-74.
Sixty-six players were 4 over or better, meaning there was a 17-for-15 playoff to determine the final spots for the 64-man match-play bracket.
All 17 players started on the 438-yard 14th hole, where par proved an elusive score. In the playoff there were only two pars, 11 bogeys, a double and three triples.
The three high-scorers – Jason Anthony, Jordan Smith and Jade Scott – then headed to the 491-yard 15th, where only Anthony (par) advanced. Now, he will face co-medalist Neil Raymond in the Round of 64.
A few of the other notable names who advanced through the playoff: U.S. Open qualifier Gavin Hall, U.S. Junior champion Scottie Scheffler, Chase Koepka (whose brother, Brooks, plays on the European Tour) and British Amateur runner-up Toni Hakula.