Amateur Cameron Champ off to a hot start at U.S. Open
Can Cameron Champ continue his pace to win low-amateur honors…or perhaps even more at the U.S. Open?
He’s American, leads the field in driving distance and is in the thick of contention heading to the weekend at the U.S. Open. This isn’t Dustin Johnson I’ve described. It’s 22-year-old amateur Cameron Champ.
The Texas A&M senior, by way of Sacramento, California, celebrated his 22nd birthday with a 2-under-par 70 on Thursday. We’ve seen many an amateur post a great round, singular, at the U.S. Open, but Champ backed it up with a second on Friday.
He made four birdies in his final six holes to cap a 3-under-par 69 and will be in one of the last groups Saturday afternoon at Erin Hills. Perhaps more impressive is his prowess off the tee. He’s blasted drives over 350 yards this week and leads the field with a 339.2-yard average.
“I was just being aggressive,” Champ told Golfweek’s Brentley Romine after round one. “Probably the best I’ve hit my driver, honestly. . . .Every hole I’m not holding back. I’m just going to keep hitting it.”
He wasn’t holding back on the 15th on Friday. He nearly dropped an eagle if not for a little tough luck.
Cameron Champ’s approach at the 15th hole was tracking toward the hole untillllll.…...hey!! (Still converted the birdie putt.) pic.twitter.com/BxsGD145b5
— Global Golf Post (@GlobalGolfPost) June 16, 2017
Champ is also in the top 25 in putts per round and is one of just a handful golfers without a double-bogey or worse through 36 holes.
His swing is very efficient and his athleticism helps to maximize off the tee. Take a look at his action in slow-mo:
Some fans lamented FOX for not showing much of Champ’s rounds, and I have to say I agree. I’m all on board with watching Jon Rahm and Jason Day, for example, but let’s give some shine to those playing well when the stars aren’t and spread the coverage. There are enough cameras for everyone!
How’d he get here?
Champ went through trials and tribulations just to qualify for Erin Hills. He was in pole position at the Newport Beach, California, qualifying site thanks to an opening 8-under-par 63 at Newport Beach Country Club. The switch to Big Canyon Country Club didn’t treat him kindly.
Champ went out in 2-over, but righted the ship with back-to-back birdies at Nos. 2 and 3 to even out his round. The field was catching up, though, which resulted in a painstaking final hole. A five-footer for par was needed to earn the last spot and avoid a playoff, becoming the biggest moment of his young career.
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“I knew where I stood,” Champ told the Sacramento Bee of his knowledge before the putt.
The clutch putt missed, sending him to a playoff with fellow amateur Brandon Wu. With daylight fading, Champ had 30 feet to conquer for birdie and another shot to advance. It was money. Champ celebrated in kind, but it was dad and second round caddie, Jeff, who was most thrilled.
“My dad was kind of yelling, all happy and stuff,” Champ told Golfweek.
Champ has worked through back issues that plagued his freshman and sophomore seasons but as of late, the All-SEC and top-30 collegiate golfer is firing on all cylinders.
“This year was the first year I didn’t really have to worry about anything,” he told Golfweek. “I have no stress about that now. I can just play.”
Yes, Cameron Champ can play and the rest of the golf world now knows it as well.
Next: Danny Willett Withdraws from U.S. Open
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