Amateur Champ is playing like a veteran

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 seems to be gaining confidence the longer he lurks near the top of the leader board.

“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. If you hit it off the tee you can score.”

Champ was humming along at even par in the second round when the Texas A&M senior closed with a flourish, recording four birdies and one bogey 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, just two shots back of leaders Paul Casey, Brian Harman, Tommy Fleetwood and Brooks Koepka.

“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 and also was at 5 under. “With that combination, this course is (an) incredible setup for him. I feel like I’m not the shortest guy. I think the stats don’t say I’m the shortest guy, and I can’t even sniff where he’s hitting the ball. He’s very impressive.”

FAN DIES: A 94-year-old man died Friday during the second round of the U.S. Open at Erin Hills.

Authorities say the death appears to be of natural causes.

DRINKING WATER: Health officials say E. coli bacteria have been found in a drinking water station at Erin Hills golf course where the U.S. Open is underway, but there have been no reports of illness.

The Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department identified the bacteria in a water sample taken from a hydration station connected to a well near the 12th hole. That station is closed.