The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)

Amateur hour

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Scottie Scheffler was the low amateur, shooting a 73 to finish at 1 under.

This has been quite the confidence-building experience for the 20 year-old who plays at Texas. He was the only amateur to qualify out of the tough Columbus sectional.

His sister, Callie, served as his caddie at Erin Hills.

“Being an amateur in the U.S. Open is very cool,” Scheffler said.

Cameron Champ, the only other amateur to make the cut, shot a 76 to finish at even par.

No need to go through qualifying for Shinnecock Hills, after having to travel that route to arrive at Erin Hills.

Mullinax shot 68 on Sunday to tie for ninth at 8 under, eight shots behind winner Brooks Koepka. Mullinax qualified out of the Memphis, Tennessee, sectional.

Schauffele shot 69 to tie for fifth at 10 under in his first U.S. Open. He also qualified out of Memphis, surviving a five-man playoff for one of the final two spots.

Asked about avoiding sectional qualifying next year, Schauffele said, “That’s another thing I didn’t know. Thank you.”

It has been 20 years since Els won the U.S. Open at Congressio­nal, when he held off Colin Montgomeri­e by a stroke. He also won the Open in 1994, as well as the British Open in 2002 and 2012.

That victory five years ago at Royal Latham was his last tour win. His fiveyear exemption in the majors is running out this year.

But Els seems at peace with where he is at in his career.

“I’ve played 25 of them, and if I play another great. If not, it’s fine. It’s been a good ride,” the popular Els said while signing autographs for fans.

“Maybe something happens in the next couple of months, win something to get into it for next year,” Els added.

“So if that doesn’t happen, it’s been good. It’s been really good.”

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