The bid for former Georgia Tech golfer Ollie Schniederjans to finish the U.S. Open as low amateur fell short by two strokes. Schniederjans, in his first-ever major, completed the tournament Sunday at 7-over 287, good for a tie for 42nd.
The low amateur at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash., was Brian Campbell, a recent graduate of Illinois, at 5-over, which tied for 27th. Schniederjans shot a final-round 73 while Campbell shot a 68.
Regardless, Schniederjans finished ahead of a slew of established tour stars, including Jimmy Walker (No. 2 on PGA Tour money list), Charley Coffman (No. 6 on money list), Bubba Watson (No. 8) and Rickie Fowler (No. 10) and major champions such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Zach Johnson and Angel Cabrera.
He tied for third in the tournament in driving distance (332.25 yards) and tied for seventh in birdies made with 17.
Schniederjans, who earned a spot in the U.S. Open by finishing last summer as the world’s top-ranked amateur, also has an exemption into the British Open at St. Andrews in July. He will turn professional after that. Reportedly, his hope is to do so at the Canadian Open July 23-26.
Tech great Matt Kuchar finished in a tie for 12th for the second consecutive year at 1-over. Three-time All-American Cameron Tringale tied for 54th at 11 over par in his second U.S. Open.
