THE FLATS – Georgia Tech’s Adam Bratton scored an eagle on the first hole of a playoff Monday evening, eliminating two other competitors and earning a spot in the 2021 U.S. Amateur, the second Yellow Jacket to secure a berth in the championship that begins Aug. 9 in Oakmont, Pa.
Tied for the lead after 18 holes with his morning 65 (-7), Bratton almost played himself out of contention in the afternoon round at the par-72 Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Ind. The Newburgh, Ind., played level-par golf on the front nine, but shot 39 with a double-bogey and two bogeys around one birdie on the back nine, falling into a three-way tie for third place and the final qualifying spot at 4-under-par 140.
But the sophomore had karma on his side because the playoff began at the par-5 first hole, which he had eagled in the morning round and birdied in the afternoon. In the playoff, Bratton again reached the green in two, and rolled in a 12-foot putt for the eagle to eliminate 25-year-old Matt Vogt and Purdue University junior Cole Bradley.
“That hole treated me nicely,” said Bratton. “I was happy to hear that’s where we were headed (for the playoff).”
Adam Bratton became the second Yellow Jacket to qualify for the 2021 U.S. Amateur. (photo courtesy of USGA)
Joe Weiler, a Purdue senior, won medalist honors at 10-under-par 134, while Wake Forest sophomore Clay Stirsman finished second at 5-under-par 139,
Bratton joins former Yellow Jackets Noah Norton (Chico, Calif.), who graduated in May, and Bo Andrews, who now serves as assistant golf coach at Tennessee, in the field for the U.S. Amateur. Norton was the medalist at last week’s qualifier at the Capital City Club Crabapple course in Milton, Ga., while Andrews posted a runner-up finish at Longmeadow, Mass., a week earlier. Norton will be playing in his fifth U.S. Amateur. Another former Yellow Jacket, football wide receiver R.B. Clyburn, captured a spot in the championship at the Crabapple qualifier.
U.S. Amateur qualifying continues Tuesday when junior Connor Howe (Ogden, Utah) and sophomores Christo Lamprecht (George, South Africa) and Ross Steelman (Columbia, Mo.) compete in the qualifier Tuesday and Wednesday (July 20-21) at Stonebridge Golf Club in Rome, Ga.
All U.S. Amateur qualifiers are 36-hole competitions, some conducted in one day, others over two days, with varying numbers of qualifying spots available. The 121st U.S. Amateur will be played Aug. 9-15 at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., outside Pittsburgh. The last two U.S. Amateur champions have been Yellow Jackets – Tyler Strafaci in 2020 and Andy Ogletree in 2019.
Adam Bratton rolls in his eagle putt at the first playoff hole Monday.
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ABOUT GEORGIA TECH GOLF
Georgia Tech’s golf team is in its 26th year under head coach Bruce Heppler, winning 65 tournaments in his tenure. The Yellow Jackets have won 18 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, made 29 appearances in the NCAA Championship and been the national runner-up four times. Connect with Georgia Tech Golf on social media by liking their Facebook page, or following on Twitter (@GTGolf) and Instagram. For more information on Tech golf, visit Ramblinwreck.com.
