Sports
West Chester's Osberg Fires a 75, Misses U.S. Amateur Cut
Despite a fast start, a weather delay dooms Osberg's chances of making the U.S. Amateur cut.
Even after an opening round 77, Jeff Osberg knew he had a chance to come back in Tuesday’s second round of the U.S. Amateur in Erin, WI.
Playing in the second group out in the morning at Erin Hills Golf Course, the West Chester, PA native hoped to post a solid score in relatively calm conditions then watch the rest of field slip back fighting the gusty afternoon winds.
For three holes Osberg followed the game plan to perfection. Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided to butt in a little quicker than expected. The result was a 3-over par 75 and missed opportunity to reach the match play field.
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“I thought the draw was going to be perfect,” Osberg said. “I started out great, knocking it close on the first then birdieing holes two and three.”
It was at that point that a severe thunderstorm passed through, resulting in a nearly four-hour delay. By the time Osberg got back out, the momentum he was carrying from the morning disappeared.
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“I struggled yesterday, so I knew I would have to shoot 4- or 5-under to have any chance,” Osberg said. “I got off to a great start, but I lost my rhythm.”
Still Osberg was impressed with he saw with the host golf course.
“I was surprised to see the scores that came in yesterday and even today,” Osberg said. “But there was no wind Monday, then softer greens and favorable winds today. I expect the rest of week for the course to play much tougher.”
For the 27-year-old, getting a chance to play against some of the game's young stars was a privilege of the event as well.
“You look at the leader board here and you see a lot of the Walker Cuppers’ names,” said Osberg, who was also in the field at the 2010 U.S. Amateur at Southern Hills Country Club. “It fun to test yourself against guys that are going to be playing for this game for a profession later on, but they can be a little out of my league at times.”
With a total of 152, Osberg will miss the top-64 match play cut, which will happen on Wednesday morning due to the delay. The head-to head competition will continue through to a 36-hole final match on Sunday.
