SEAN Crocker, the US-based Zimbabwean teenage golfer carded an impressive three-under par 69 on Tuesday to qualify for the match-play phase of the 66th US Junior Amateur Championship underway at Martis Camp Golf Club in Truckee, California, US.
DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER
The 16-year-old rising star rebounded from a disappointing opening round five-over par 77 to finish the stroke play qualifying phase of the prestigious tournament with a two-over par 146.
Crocker, who started his second round on the 10th hole, made four consecutive birdies on his second nine to card a three-under 69 which earned the US Junior Amateur first-time competitor a match-play berth.
His impressive second round saw him jump a massive 54 places on the leaderboard from a tie for 76th to a tie for 22nd and well within the cutline of 54 including ties.
The match play phase of the tournament was set to begin late yesterday, culminating with the champioship round on Saturday. Crocker was set to meet American Austin Connelly who finished the stroke play qualifying phase tied for 38th in the first round of matchplay phase.
The US-based young golfer recently confirmed his status as one of the top junior golfers in the world after advancing to the final qualifying round of the prestigious US Open Championship qualifying stage in May.
This came after he finished as the best-placed amateur at the Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open in April. He is also currently a front runner to represent Zimbabwe at the second edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, in August next year.
