Chris Babcock heard he was in the lead after he fired a first-round 69 Monday at Royal Oaks Country Club at the U.S. Amateur qualifying tournament.
Then he had to go out just an hour later for the second round.
“I was just trying to shoot a 68 in the second round, trying to beat my first-round score. I figured if I did that, I’d be OK.”
The top three from Monday’s event would advance to the U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields in the Chicago area in August.
Babcock did not hit his number in the second round, but he still earned medalist honors, completing the day at 3-under par with a 141.
“I only shot a 72, but I guess it was good enough,” said Babcock, who is from Shoreline and will be a senior at the University of Washington.
Another golfer from the state took second place. Kyle Cornett of Mill Creek and a Seattle University golfer, finished a stroke off Babcock’s lead at 142.
Two golfers from Oregon battled for the final berth to the U.S. Am. Arthur Kim of Tigard made par on the third hole of a playoff to top Brian Jung of Corvallis. The two made pars on the first playoff hole, then both birdied No. 2. Jung will be the first alternate from the region.
Babcock did not need any drama to earn his medal.
“It’s awesome. I haven’t finished first in a tournament in a while,” he said.
Looking forward to Chicago, he said it’s “going to be a pretty cool experience.”
Babcock has played the Royal Oaks Invitational Tournament, a prestigious amateur event that takes place every year at the club. So he knew the course going into this qualifier.
“Any chance I get to play here, I’ll be back,” Babcock said.
Cornett also is a ROIT veteran. He fired a 70 in his opening round, then a 72 to close out the day, alone in second place.
“I was all practiced up and ready to go,” he said. “I played solid all day.”
Kim shot a 75 in the opening round, then rallied with a 4-under-par 68 to tie for third. Then he made a par save from a difficult angle on the first playoff hole to continue his momentum.
Jonathan Romano of Vancouver was the top Clark County finisher. He tied for ninth with back-to-back 73s.
(Click here for complete results)
