Distance fuels A&M’s Champ
ERIN,WIS.— Cameron Champ is one of the longest hitters at the U.S. Open. He keeps to himself while he plays. There is a quiet confidence about him as he makes his way around Erin Hills.
Nothing amateur about his game. He looks right at home in one of golf ’s biggest tournaments.
The 22-year-old Champ blasted his way to a 3-under 69 in the second round Friday, drawing attention for his long drives and steady putting. No amateur has won the Open since Johnny Goodman in 1933, but the easygoing Champ appears to be gaining confidence the longer he lurks near the top.
“I came in this week with no expectations really at all,” he said. “I just — the only expectation I had was to be low am. I played well. The course sets up very well for me off the tee.”
Champ was humming along at even par in the second round when the Texas A&M senior closed with a flourish, recording four birdies over his final seven holes.
The successful stretch included birdies on two massive par 5s. On the 603-yard 14th, he got to the green in two. His tee shot on 18 traveled almost 353 yards, and he finished his round with a 12-footer to get to 5 under.
“Man, that kid is just super long off the tee and he’s always on the fairway,” said Xander Schauffele, who played alongside Champ for the first two rounds.
Champ has hit 21 of 28 fairways so far and leads the field with a driving average of 339.2 yards, which he brushed off as nothing new.
“In college I normally am the longest,” he said. “I guess I’ve just kind of always been that way . ... Here if you can hit it long and straight, it’s a great advantage.”
After Champ, the next amateur is Scottie Scheffler at 1 under. Scheffler plays for the University of Texas, but don’t expect any trouble as the rivals try for the low amateur honor this weekend.
“Me and Scottie are really good friends, so it will be kind of fun,” Champ said.