BOWLING GREEN, KY (July 20, 2021) - Many amateur golfers from across the country came to Bowling Green Country Club in search of one of three qualifying spots for this year’s U.S. Amateur, which will be held at Oakmont Country Club in August just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Kentuckians Canon Claycomb and Cooper Parks along with Bryce Lewis of Hendersonville, Tennessee are those that will be moving on to compete at the famed championship layout based off their performances today.

Canon Claycomb had an elite opening round with eleven birdies and no bogeys en route to a 61 (-11) to grab medalist honors with ease. Claycomb started on the back nine and made birdies on the 12th, 14th, 16th, and 18th holes to shoot 32 (-4). As if that was not enough, Claycomb tacked on seven more birdies on the front nine, which was his second nine. He made birdie on all of the par-fives and made no worse than 4 on any hole.

“I hit it to within fifteen feet on every hole and pretty much made everything I looked at,” said Claycomb. “I’ve also played here what feels like a million times so I do have a lot of confidence here (at Bowling Green Country Club).”

He backed his absurd first round with a 70 (-2) for a total score of 131 (-13). His second round consisted of three birdies on the front and two more on the back which was plenty to secure himself a trip to Oakmont.

University of Tennessee golfer Bryce Lewis notched the second-best round of the day with an afternoon round of 63 (-9). Five birdies on the front and four birdies on the back with no bogeys contributed to his stellar day. He took care of business on the par-fives by making birdie on each of them. Lewis shot 70 (-2) in the first round resulting in a total score of 133 (-11) for the qualifier. This trip to Oakmont will mark his fourth U.S. Amateur appearance.

For the last qualifier spot, Cooper Parks defeated Drew Doyle on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff. Parks made a par on the par-four 9th while Doyle made bogey to lock down what will be Parks’ first U.S. Amateur appearance. Parks and Doyle finished at 139 (-5) for the tournament. Doyle earned the first alternate spot.

Grabbing the second alternate spot was Luke Coyle of Campbellsville. Coyle defeated Joe Muschong on the second hole of a playoff to clinch that spot.

NOTES AND STATS

• Canon Claycomb’s round of 61 (-11) is now the official course record at Bowling Green Country Club.
• Four eagles were made throughout the day. The par-five 5th surrendered a pair while the par-five 14th allowed for one. The only par-four eagle came on the 16th with Reese Sexton holing out there.
• 14 did play as the easiest hole of the day. More than fifty birdies were made there in addition to the one eagle, helping it have a stroke-to-par average of -0.24.
• The par-four 6th was the hardest hole of the qualifier. Just five birdies were made there during the two rounds as it played +0.64.

Click here to view the final results

The Kentucky Golf Association extends its thanks to Daniel Soehren, PGA Head Golf Professional at Bowling Green Country Club and his staff for their assistance in creating a successful event today. Appreciation is also expressed towards each player for their participation in today’s event. The KGA congratulates Claycomb, Lewis and Parks on their qualification and looks forward to watching them compete at Oakmont next month.