Albertson Competes in U.S. Amateur

Take away his first nine holes, and Anders Albertson would likely make the match play cut for the U.S. Amateur.

Low lighted by a pair of double bogeys on holes four and eight, the Woodstock native stumbled to an opening nine 43 at Erin Hills Golf Course, on his way to a 7-over par 79 Monday afternoon at the U.S. Amateur.

“On the front nine I could not hit a fairway,” Albertson said.  “And the fescue rough out here is not so fun. I certainly got plenty of practice from it.”

Albertson turned things around in a hurry on the back, making his first birdie of the day on No. 12 and adding another for good measure on the 675-yard par-5 18th hole. The soon to-be freshman at Georgia Tech credited his friend and caddie Tom Goekeler for settling himself down.

“Tom really helped me change my attitude,” Albertson said. “He wanted me to think positively and get back to what I was doing the last two days, which was hitting the ball great.”

Having the presence of someone like Goekeler along is a big boost for inexperienced 18-year-old playing in his first U.S. Amateur.

“I’ve played a lot of golf, but nothing like this,” said Albertson of the challenge of Erin Hills. “This is my first links experience and my first time taking on a 7,800 yard tournament course.”

Stepping up on the 10th tee of Blue Mound Country Club Tuesday morning, Albertson knows he is a long shot at best to make top-64 cut for match play. Still, carrying some positive vibes after a great finish on Erin Hills gives Albertson confidence that a low score could be in the cards.

“I ended on a decent note today and that might bode well,” Albertson said. “Hopefully I carry that momentum into tomorrow’s round.”

Match play competition continues until Sunday, when a 36-hole final hole will decide who takes home the hardware.