Two players are currently making runs for tournament titles and USA Walker Cup side positions: Chris Williams and Patrick Rodgers. Western New York golf aficionados are familiar with Rodgers after his victory in Lewiston last Saturday. Williams has been making the same waves on the other coast, with triumphs at Sahalee Players and Pacific Coast.
This week, the eyes of the amateur world are on North Shore Country Club, a classic Colt, MacKenzie & Alison design in Chicago. Williams zapped the world with 3 66s and a 70 for a new record in the qualifying medal. His reward? A 1st-round match against final qualifier and world #1 amateur, Patrick Cantlay. Right behind Williams is Rodgers, 3 strokes back at -13, courtesy of a +4-through-four start, followed by a -9-over-last-14-holes finish!
Both of these lads are on David Chung-type runs in the lead-up to the US Amateur. Last season, Chung won Porter and Western, then finished runner-up at the US Am in a hoped-for final against Peter Uihlein. This year, unfortunately, David Chung has been off form, shooting 72s against last year’s 68s.
Meanwhile, Williams and Rodgers will attempt today to get out of the first round of match play and keep Walker dreams alive.
