Former ECU Golfer Zach Edmondson Added To 2016 U.S. Open Field
June 13, 2016 | Men's Golf
Edmondson making his first U.S. Open appearance
usopen.com | Groups and Staring Times
OAKMONT, Pa. --- Former East Carolina golfer Zach Edmondson was one of five alternates from U.S. Open sectional qualifying rounds added to the field of 156 for the 116th U.S. Open Championship the USGA announced Monday. Edmondson was selected to compete after finishing as the first alternate at the sectional qualifier in Jacksonville, Fla.
Edmondson, who is currently playing on the MacKenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada, is paired with Kent Bulle of the United States and Sebastian Soberburg of Sweden. The trio will tee-off No. 10 at 12:41 p.m. on Thursday, Jun 16, at the Oakmont Country Club, which has previously hosted eight U.S. Open Championships (1927, 1935, 1953, 1962, 1973, 1983, 1994 and 2007).
"We are really proud of Zach and excited that he gets this opportunity to compete for our national championship," ECU Head Men's Golf Coach Press McPhaul said. "He has shown toughness and resiliency in his pro career. This opportunity is a good reward for that effort. We will be pulling for him and know he will have a great experience at Oakmont."
Emondson, who played at ECU under McPhaul from 2009-13, carded a 6-under 138 during the 36-hole tournament at the Timuquana Country Club to tie for third-place, forcing a five-way playoff for the final qualifying spot for the sectional. Following two playoff holes, Edmondson earned the first-alternate spot.
He is the second ECU letterman to qualify for this year's U.S. Open, joining Franks Adams, III in the field. This is the first time that two former ECU golfers are in the same U.S. Open. The last Pirate to compete in the second of the four major PGA Tour championships was Harold Varner, who missed the sectional qualifying rounds due to an injury this year, in 2013. The only other Pirate to compete at the U.S. Open was John Maginnes, a four-year lettermen from 1987-91, in 1995, 2002 and 2003.Â
Adams will play alongside fellow countrymen Justin Suh and T.J. Howe on Thursday, going off the first tee at 2:42 p.m.
The USGA held six spots in the field for those players who could potentially qualify by being in the current top 60 of the Official World Golf Ranking. William McGirt earned an exemption based on his current Official World Golf Ranking of No. 44. Since McGirt was the only player to earn an exemption, five alternates from sectional qualifying made the field. Tony Finau, Kevin Foley, Daniel Summerhayes and Mike Van Sickle were the other alternates selected.
