For those new to the game, the US Amateur holds local qualifying around the country. Roughly 250 players advance to the tournament proper, held this year at Erin Hills in Wisconsin. Erin Hills will host the 2017 US Open and the USGA (the organizing body for the Open and the Amateur) has long made a habit of testing new Open courses with a US Amateur.

At Erin Hills, the qualifiers will play 36 holes of stroke play, with the best 64 advancing to match play. Six rounds later, a champion and runner-up will be determined. Williamsville’s Jake Katz qualified for his first US Amateur and will tee off at 8:30 Monday morning at Blue Mound (the second host course), then again on Tuesday at 1:45 at Erin Hills. Katz has mojo on his side, as the “other” course used for on-site qualifying is typically an easier track. Blue Mound, designed by architectural great Seth Raynor, is a classic, early twentieth-century course, in complete contrast to Erin Hills, a modern retro course designed by Michael Hurdzan and company. As a result, Katz will need to be in complete command and control of all facets of his game, to manage two good rounds in qualifying.

Click here to follow Katz and all the competitors.