Wisconsin, United States: Should Singapore’s James Leow go on to win the 41st US Mid-Amateur Championship, a dramatic change in his plans may well follow.
After this week’s event at Erin Hills and stroke play co-host Blue Mound Golf & Country Club in Wauwatosa, Leow is scheduled to compete in Stage 1 of Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School at Southern Dunes in Maricopa, Arizona. He plans to turn professional after the final stage of Q-School (November 4-8), provided he gets there.
However, an opening five-under 65 at Blue Mound saw the 25-year-old Arizona State graduate in a share of second place, just one shot off the pace being set by defending champion Stewart Hagestad of the US, prompting thoughts about exciting opportunities - and potential dilemma - that lie ahead if he triumphs this week.
Exempt into the US Mid-Amateur off his lofty status in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (currently 61st), Leow figured this week would be a great opportunity to face strong competition while also representing Singapore.
The winner earns an exemption into the 2023 US Open at The Los Angeles Country Club as well as a likely invitation to next year’s Masters. Should Leow prevail, he would be the first player from Singapore to compete in either Major championship. “That would require a change of plans,” said Leow.
Between bogeys on his opening and closing holes at Blue Mound – he started on number 10 – Leow registered five birdies and an eagle, a four-iron to six feet on the 559-yard 18th hole. Among the birdies were four in a row from the second (his 11th of the day), including a five-iron to 12 inches on the demanding 215-yard third hole.
Leow’s performance here gained plenty of attention due to the fact that he’s not a typical mid-amateur competitor. Four months ago, he was completing his college eligibility for the Sun Devils.
Because Singapore requires all males to serve in the military upon reaching their 18th birthday, Leow spent nearly two years as a platoon sergeant. By the time he entered ASU as a freshman, he was 21, the age of many seniors. A torn labrum also curtailed his junior year.
Back to full health, Leow has enjoyed a solid summer, playing on the victorious International Team at the Palmer Cup in Switzerland in early July, then winning the Pacific Coast Amateur a few weeks later at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Oregon.
Among those he edged out for that title was Caleb Surratt, who would finish as the US Junior Amateur runner-up a week later at Bandon Dunes.
Round two of stroke play is scheduled for Sunday. Once stroke play is completed, the field will be trimmed from the starting field of 264 to the low 64 scorers for match play, which is scheduled to begin on Monday at Erin Hills.
For the two Australians in the field, it was a mixed opening day. Harry Bolton posted a three-under 68 at Erin Hills and looks well positioned to qualify, while Lukas Michel, the only international champion in history (2019), struggled to an 87.
New Zealand’s Sam Jones fired a 67 at Blue Mound.