Clemson, S.C.—Clemson sophomore Jacob Bridgeman was eliminated in a four-hour playoff for the last spot in match play at the United States Amateur at Pinehurst Golf Resort in Pinehurst, NC on Wednesday.
The Inman, S.C. native was involved in a playoff that included 27 players fighting for the final three spots in the 64-player match play competition that will decide the 2019 US Amateur champion this weekend.
Bridgeman shot a 71 on Pinehurst #4 on Monday, then had a 74 on Pinehurst #2 on Tuesday afternoon and evening. There was a one-hour weather delay on Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately, Bridgeman made a bogey on the par five 10th hole, his last hole of the day on Tuesday, that forced him into the playoff.
Bridgeman was one of 27 players who started the playoff on the first hole on Pinehurst #4 at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The All-ACC performer made pars on the first two holes, then made a birdie on the par five 17th hole, the third playoff hole, to reach the final three players for the final spot. He made a bogey on the par four 18th hole, the fourth playoff hole, and was eliminated.
Austin Squire, a member of the University of Cincinnati golf team, was the final qualifier. He then upset stroke play medalist Brandon Wu of Stanford in the first round, 2-up.
Bridgeman was attempting to be the first Clemson golfer to reach match play of the US Amateur since Doc Redman won the championship in 2017.
Bridgeman was second on Clemson’s eighth-ranked men’s team in stroke average this year with a 71.81 average. He set a Clemson record for rounds in the 60s by a freshman with 12, and he finished the year with 18 rounds at par or better. He had four top 10 finishes and was Clemson’s second best golfer at the NCAA National Tournament in Arkansas.
