Sports
Jack Schultz Likes His Spot After 1 Round of U.S. Amateur
Long-hitting Whitefish Bay native shoots 1-over 73 at grueling Erin Hills.
After an outstanding summer of golf, Jack Schultz knows he was carrying a lot hopes for his home state at the U.S. Amateur at Erin Hills Golf Course.
Despite a slow start, the Whitefish Bay native stands right in contention for Wednesday’s match play competition after a 1-over par 73 in Monday’s opening round.
“Playing well at the U.S. Public Links, another USGA event before this one, gave me a lot of confidence coming in,” Schultz said. “I won two matches there and made it to the round of 16, and I can draw on that experience here.”
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Playing on the back nine first, Schultz found tough sledding starting out, making a bogey five on the brutal 526-yard 10th hole. Another bogey came courtesy of a four on the par-3 13th.
Schultz stemmed the tide momentarily with a birdie on 14, but by the time he reached the 500-yard par-4 fifth, the University of Michigan junior to-be was floundering at 3-over par. However, Schultz closed in style, making two short birdies on holes five and seven.
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“It was key to convert those (late birdies) coming home,” Schultz said. “Early in the round I was struggling to get up and down, but on seven I got a 56-degree (wedge) in close and was able to make it.”
The only surprise of the day was that it took Schultz that long to find his groove at Erin Hills. As one of the longest hitters in the field, the 21-year-old figured to be amongst the contenders on the 7,760-yard layout.
“Obviously, the course helps me because it’s pretty open and I hit it longer than most people,” Schultz said. “I had shorter clubs in a lot of holes which really helps when you are trying to tackle the course’s 500-yard plus yard par-4s.”
Tuesday, play moves to Blue Mound Country Club for another golf course that could benefit Schultz’s game.
“I’ve been driving really well, but out there I’m sure I will use a 3-wood a lot off the tee just to keep it in play,” Schultz said. “But I am hitting wedges well, so I like (my chances) of going low in the morning.”
After Tuesday’s play concludes the field will be cut down to the top 64 golfers for match play competition. The winner will be crowned after a 36-hole final match Sunday at Erin Hills.