Lake Forest Native Holds His Own At U.S. Amateur

"Boring" might not be a positive attribute when it comes to movies, concerts or parties. But Andrew Wyatt will surely take it when talking about his day on the golf course.

The former University of Nebraska golfer and Lake Forest native carded three bogeys and three birdies on Monday en route to an even-par round of 70 during the U.S. Amateur at Blue Mound Country Club in Wauwatosa, Wis.

“I didn’t do anything great and nothing terrible so it was kind of a no-nothing day,” Wyatt said. “It was a good round; it was solid.”

The U.S. Amateur continues Tuesday with a second round of stroke play, after which the field of 312 will be cut to 64 for head-to-head match play competition through Sunday.

On Monday, Wyatt started on the back nine and birdied the par-4 11th hole to quickly get under par. Back-to-back bogeys put Wyatt at one-over, but a birdie on the 17th – a tough 190-yard par 3 – got Wyatt back to even-par at the turn.  

After a bogey at the par-3 third hole, Wyatt responded right back with a birdie on the 387-yard, par-4 fourth hole. He finished the round with five straight pars to end the day right where he started.

“I hit a lot of good shots so it’s a good feeling to have a good first round,” Wyatt said. “Tomorrow at the big course I have another opportunity to play well and advance so I’m pleased.”

The “big course” he speaks of is Erin Hills, which can play as long as 7,760 yards on a par 72. Wyatt says he’s been driving the ball well so his length off the tee should be an asset on Tuesday.

 “If I drive it well and hit a lot of greens it should be another good day and try to keep the boring golf going,” Wyatt said.