HARRISBURG, Pa. — The LSU men’s golf program will be represented at the United States Amateur Championship for the fourth year in a row as rising sophomore Clayton Rotz earned one of three qualifying spots at Thursday’s sectional qualifier at Blue Ridge Country Club.
This marks the third time in his young career that Rotz will tee it up in the most prestigious amateur championship sponsored by the United States Golf Association as he also appeared in the U.S. Amateur as a high school sophomore in 2005 and a high school senior in 2007.
Historic Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina will play host to the 108th edition of the U.S. Amateur Championship as the seven-day tournament is scheduled to run from Aug. 18-24.
Rotz, a native of Chambersburg, Pa., posted rounds of 1-over 71 on Wednesday and 3-over 73 on Thursday to finish in a tie for second place with a 36-hole score of 4-over par 144 in the sectional qualifier at the par-70 course near his hometown. He finished the tournament just two shots out of the lead as the winning score of 2-over 142 went to Shawn Knaup of Pittsburgh.
“I feel like I could have played much better in both rounds, but I’m definitely happy to qualify,” Rotz said. “It’s exciting anytime you get to play in a tournament like the U.S. Amateur. This will be my third time to play in the tournament, but it will be my very first time to play Pinehurst. I’m really excited to have the chance to play a course like that.
“All I really know is the reputation it has of being one of the more demanding courses anywhere in the country. Andrew (Loupe) has played there before and said it’s unbelievable. I’ll head up a few days before and get a couple of practice rounds under my belt and see what happens.”
Ranked No. 19 on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses, Pinehurst No. 2 is a Donald Ross design most famous for its signature crowned greens. It has played host to three major championships in its storied history, including the U.S. Open in 1999 and 2005.
After taking the lead into the clubhouse, Rotz waited for more than 90 minutes for other groups to finish before he knew for sure that he would get the chance to play the famed course.
“I thought I was in pretty good shape, but that’s a long time to have to wait,” Rotz said. “Even though I had the lead in the clubhouse, I knew there were still some guys out on the course that were playing well. You could say I was a nervous wreck. I might have aged a little bit because of the stress. But I can relax now and feel good about this week.”