The likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have all been winners of the prestigious U.S. Amateur. From August 17 to 23, a pair of Tar Heels will get the chance to join them on the prestigious list of winners.
Rising North Carolina sophomore Ben Griffin was the first to qualify for the event, shooting a seven-under par score over two days at a sectional qualifier, finishing second behind Clemson’s Miller Capps.
After missing the top three last year by four strokes, Griffin had supplementary reasoning for playing well in the qualifier.
“I was pretty motivated to make amends for not qualifying last year,” Griffin said.
Rising junior Carter Jenkins was the next to punch a ticket to the Amateur after winning his qualifier with a two-day score of 10-under par.
Jenkins' win comes just more than a week after he claimed his third straight title at the Carolinas Golf Amateur tournament.
“Really, I’ve just been doing everything well,” Jenkins said. “I’m in a nice flow.”
Jenkins eyes are set on winning it all, and he’s confident that he will be at the top of his game come Aug. 17.
“I feel that I am capable,” Jenkins said. “I believe I can play with the best in the world.”