Happy birthday, Tommy Morrison.
The start was also pivotal for Morrison, ranked sixth in the world, as he looks to secure a spot on the U.S. Walker Cup team. With five spots still up for grabs, the U.S. Amateur provides the final chance for players to showcase why they belong on the team to captain Nathan Smith and the selection committee.
Only 20 golfers in the 312-person field shot under par on Olympic Club’s Ocean Course and Lake Course in the opening round, with the Ocean Course, the stroke-play co-host, playing half a shot easier. Of the 10 players within two shots of the lead after the opening round, only two played the Lake Course on Monday.
After the opening round, there are 101 players at T-64 or better, which is the cut off for match play. After Tuesday’s second round, the field will be cut to 64 players, with a playoff to complete the match-play bracket, if needed. Match play begins Wednesday at the Lake Course.
World No. 1 amateur Jackson Koivun opened in 2-under 68 on the Ocean Course.
Among those with work to do to make the cut are Olympic Club member Jacob Goode (3 over), world No. 3 Ethan Fang (3 over), Elite Amateur Golf Series winner Tyler Watts (5 over) and NCAA individual champ Michael La Sasso (8 over), among others.
