Going into the final round, Georgia Tech’s Ollie Schniederjans is tied at the U.S. Open for low amateur, a distinction that would connect him with the most famed Tech golfer of all and one more of considerable merit.
Paired with Lee Westwood, Schniederjans finished the third round Saturday at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash., tied for 25th at 4-over. He completed his 18 holes Saturday in 2-over 72, collecting five birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey. After the third round, he was eight strokes back of the leaders, but was tied with Florida State's Jack Maguire for low amateur status. There are four other amateurs who made the cut.
If Schniederjans finishes as low amateur, he will join Bobby Jones as Tech grads to earn that honor at the U.S. Open. Jones was nine times the low amateur in the U.S. national championship, a record. His four titles are tied for the most. Matt Kuchar was also the low amateur in 1998, when he also earned the same honor at the Masters.
Schniederjans has an outside shot at earning an exemption into the 2016 U.S. Open by finishing among the lowest 10 scorers, including ties for 10th. He earned his berth this week by finishing last summer as the world’s top-ranked amateur, a status that also gives him an exemption into the British Open. He intends to turn professional following the British.
At the end of play Sunday, Kuchar was tied for 15th at 2 over after a 2-over 72 Saturday. Kuchar is playing for, among other things, his first top-10 finish at a U.S. Open. His best result to date is T12 last year. Cameron Tringale is tied for 46th after a 4-over 74. He is playing in his second U.S. Open and made his first cut.
Schniederjans will tee off Sunday with Justin Rose at 3 p.m. EDT. Kuchar will start at 4:36. Tringale’s tee time is at 12:45. Coverage will be provided by Fox.
