U.S. Open: Who will be low amateur at Erin Hills?

Mar 19, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Maverick McNealy hits his drive on the first tee during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Master Card at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge . Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Maverick McNealy hits his drive on the first tee during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Master Card at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge . Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 6 Stewart Hagestad

I had Hagestad pretty low on my Masters amateur rankings and I was swiftly proven wrong with that prediction. I saw a former average collegian at USC and a part-time amateur who found his game with a win at the 2016 U.S. Mid-Am to qualify for this week. What we, in fact, saw, at Augusta was a well-rounded guy who, among other things, is a solid golfer. He tied for 36th and earned low amateur honors.

It’ll be interesting to see how he performs now that folks know who he is and have some expectations for him. By the same token, he’s already proven himself and could very well keep on riding the high.

At No. 6, I may have underrated Hagestad again. If not for a crop of very talented players ahead, Hagestad would be higher.