Three Tigers to Play in United States Amateur

Clemson, S.C.—Clemson golfers Turk Pettit, Jacob Bridgeman, and Colby Patton will compete in the United States Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Club in Bandon, Oregon, August 10-16.  It will be the second US Amateur appearance for Pettit and Bridgeman and the first for Patton.  All three qualified for the 264-player field through their respective World Amateur Golf Ranking.

This will be the first time since 2016 Clemson has had three players in the United States Amateur.

Normally, the USGA has qualifying competition for the field that is normally 312 strong.  But, due to  COVID-19 the organization has created other forms of qualification and reduced the field.

Bridgeman played in the US Amateur at Pinehurst, NC last year.  He tied for 62^nd during the 36-hole stroke play qualifier that determines the 64-player field for match play, but lost in a playoff for one of the final three spots. Pettit reached match play at the 2017 US Amateur at Riviera Country Club in California, but lost in the first round. Clemson teammate Doc Redman went on to win that tournament and is now on the PGA Tour.

This past year all three players helped the Tigers to a number-14 final ranking in the Golfweek computer ratings. Individually, Bridgeman ranked 33^rd and Pettit finished 67^th in the Golfweek rating. Bridgeman was Clemson’s top player in terms of stroke average with a 70.14 figure, while Pettit was second at 70.62.  Bridgeman won the Palmetto Invitational and Pettit finished second in what proved to be the final tournament of the year before COVID19 ended the season.  Patton had a 71.67 stroke average for the fall. He did not play in the spring due to injury.

Patton is the son of former Clemson All-American Chris Patton, who won the 1989 United States Amateur at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa.

The Bandon Dunes Golf Club is a par 72 course that will play to 7,218 yards.  It opened is 1993. Among the major championships that have been held at Bandon Dunes was the 2011 United States Public Links, a tournament won by former Clemson All-American Corbin Mills.