Chinn Qualifies for U.S. Amateur Championship

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Rising sophomore Duke men’s golfer Kelly Chinn will join his Blue Devil teammate Luke Sample at the 122nd United States Amateur Championship. Chinn earned one of the three final qualifying spots at the sectional qualifier hosted by the James River Country Club in Newport News, Va.

Chinn began play on Tuesday by shooting a 67 to finish the first round tied for fifth at 3-under. On Wednesday, he moved up the leaderboard with a 4-under 66, finishing at 7-under. Chinn secured his spot in the U.S. Amateur with a birdie on the par-5 18th hole, moving him into solo second and out of any potential third place tiebreaker playoff. The rising sophomore was the only qualifier to play both rounds bogey free.

“I played really solid golf the past two days and to go bogey free for both days was really nice,” said Chinn. “I’m super excited to head up to New Jersey and play against the best amateurs in the world.”

This was the final sectional qualifier, after a total of 94 sites hosted events across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 122nd U.S. Amateur is set for Aug. 15-21 at Ridgewood CC in Paramus, N.J.

Sample made the field for the U.S. Amateur Championship earlier in July, after surviving a playoff for the final spot at the sectional qualifier in Rochester, N.Y. Blue Devils Jimmy Zheng and Ian Siebers are currently second alternates following their participation in qualifiers.

 

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