Scott Anderson, a former Ohio State player and mini-tour pro from Columbus, leads the field at 5-under par with rounds of 69 and 70. He was runner-up in 2019. Recent OSU grad JonErik Alford of Roswell, Georgia, and Dayton grad Brendan Keating of Cincinnati are tied for second at 4-under.
Former Wayne and Wright State golfer Bryce Haney, the 2020 runner-up, shot 70 Thursday to move into a tie for 13th at 1-over par. Shane Ochs, a Wright State freshman and Carroll grad, is tied for 28th at 3-over par.
The top 55 players and ties made the cut. The top 20 finishers will earn an exemption into next year’s tournament at Sylvania Country Club.
Women’s qualifier: Walnut Grove Country Club plays host Thursday to a U.S. Women’s Amateur 18-hole qualifier. Five qualifying positions are available for the 123rd event at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles on August 7-13.
Competing are 67 golfers ages 14 to 26 representing 11 states and various countries including Australia, the Netherlands, Mexico and China. Among the entrants is Marissa Wenzler, the 2018 Division I state champion from Centerville High School and the 2021 Western Amateur champion. Wenzler played collegiately at Kentucky and was a 2021 U.S. Amateur qualifier.
Also entered are 2021 qualifier Blair Stockett, from Jackson, Mississippi, and area golfers Sarah Willis, Makenna Jones, Brynna Mardis, Jenna Hayes and Lillian Middleton.
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