A typical scene at Bandon Dunes during this week’s qualifying stage. Photo Steve Gibbons USGA
Sunshine Coast golfer, Jack Trent, has safely made it through to the leading 64 golfers to qualify for the match-play phase of the US Amateur Championship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon.
21-year-old Trent, who is currently attending college at the University of Las Vegas, added a second round of 73 at the Bandon Trails layout to go with his opening 69 at Bandon Dunes to finish in 30th place and safely inside the cut off and will advance to tomorrow’s knockout matches.
Trent was one of four players who contested the qualifying rounds and was the only one to advance, Perth’s, Connor McKinney, bogeying three of his last five holes to miss out by one on a playoff for the final place.
McKinney had put himself well in contention with an opening nine if 32 but was unable to capitalise on his fine start and is out of the event.
Perth’s Connor McKinney – disappointing finish cost him his chance – photo USGA Steve Gibbons
South Australian Lachlan Barker and Victorian Lukas Michel finished outside the required mark.
The opening match play opponents will not be determined until the finish of a large playoff for final places in the field.
The surprise of the day was the failure of the defending champion Andy Ogletree to secure a place in the match-play field.