PLEASANTON, Calif. — University of Colorado freshman recruit Brandon Knight utilized an incredible final nine holes to finish second in qualifying for the U.S. Amateur here Thursday.
Knight, who is one of three incoming recruits for coach Roy Edwards‘ Buffaloes, recorded a 70-64—134 scorecard, 10-under par, in earning runner-up honors, as the top two finishers earned berths into next month’s U.S. Amateur. Startng the second round on No. 10, he was 3-under through 27 holes, having lost a stroke when he bogeyed No. 18.
At that point, saying he caught fire is an understatement. He proceeded to birdie on the first five holes (1 through 5) and added two more on Nos. 7 and 9 for a 29 on the side. He had 14 birdies over the two rounds to lead the 66-man field, which saw 20 players finish under par and another three finishing even.
“Simply great playing and focus by Brandon on the back nine to qualify,” said Edwards. “He’s established himself already as one of the top amateurs in California. And playing in the U.S. Amateur just down the road in Denver will be a great unofficial start to his Buffalo career.”
Mitchell Hoey a junior at St. Mary’s, was the medalist, carding a pair of 66s for a 12-under 132 to best Knight by two strokes on the 6,731-yard, par-72 Castlewood Country Club course.
Knight, from Foothill High School in Pleasanton, was the ’22 California State champion, won the San Francisco City Championship, going 5-0 in match play with a 1-up victory over Hoey, in the 36-hole final at TPC Harding Park. He most recently finished 17th in the California State Amateur (though all but two finishers ahead of him are either already seasoned collegians or older).
Knight will join CU junior-to-be Dylan McDermott in the event, the ninth-known time at least two Buffaloes, either enrolled at the time or eventual team members, will play the event. McDermott was joined by fellow sophomore a year ago, Justin Biwer, who advanced to the round of 16. Another current Buff, Robby Keilch, qualified in 2001 as a senior in high school. Associate head coach Derek Tolan qualified three times, joining Ben Portie in 2001, Derek O’Neill in 2002 and Justin Bardgett in 2009.
The pair…
Knight, who is one of three incoming recruits for coach Roy Edwards‘ Buffaloes, recorded a 70-64—134 scorecard, 10-under par, in earning runner-up honors, as the top two finishers earned berths into next month’s U.S. Amateur. Startng the second round on No. 10, he was 3-under through 27 holes, having lost a stroke when he bogeyed No. 18.
At that point, saying he caught fire is an understatement. He proceeded to birdie on the first five holes (1 through 5) and added two more on Nos. 7 and 9 for a 29 on the side. He had 14 birdies over the two rounds to lead the 66-man field, which saw 20 players finish under par and another three finishing even.
“Simply great playing and focus by Brandon on the back nine to qualify,” said Edwards. “He’s established himself already as one of the top amateurs in California. And playing in the U.S. Amateur just down the road in Denver will be a great unofficial start to his Buffalo career.”
Mitchell Hoey a junior at St. Mary’s, was the medalist, carding a pair of 66s for a 12-under 132 to best Knight by two strokes on the 6,731-yard, par-72 Castlewood Country Club course.
Knight, from Foothill High School in Pleasanton, was the ’22 California State champion, won the San Francisco City Championship, going 5-0 in match play with a 1-up victory over Hoey, in the 36-hole final at TPC Harding Park. He most recently finished 17th in the California State Amateur (though all but two finishers ahead of him are either already seasoned collegians or older).
Knight will join CU junior-to-be Dylan McDermott in the event, the ninth-known time at least two Buffaloes, either enrolled at the time or eventual team members, will play the event. McDermott was joined by fellow sophomore a year ago, Justin Biwer, who advanced to the round of 16. Another current Buff, Robby Keilch, qualified in 2001 as a senior in high school. Associate head coach Derek Tolan qualified three times, joining Ben Portie in 2001, Derek O’Neill in 2002 and Justin Bardgett in 2009.
The pair…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at University of Colorado Athletics…