John Minchillo/Associated Press
What were you doing for your senior one year of college? Doubtlessly no longer shooting one under at the U.S. Open, appropriate?
Nicely, that’s what Davis Thompson did as of late, gentle all and sundry with a unbelievable opening spherical at his first predominant. He sits accurate four strokes within the relieve of latest leader Justin Thomas (-5), the entire more outstanding brooding about he’s a 21-one year-archaic amateur.
So, what’s Thompson’s story?
He is currently a senior at Georgia, captaining the golf group, and he’s awfully accurate. Per Ryan Herrington of Golf Digest, Thompson done “the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season with a 69.95 reasonable, 2nd-lowest in UGA history, with a exhaust and 4 more high-10 finishes.”
Because he’s ranked No. 3 within the World Newbie Golf Ranking, he obtained an invite from the USGA, which invited the head-seven ranked amateurs this one year. He is now not always definitely totally devoid of professional expertise, having participated within the RSM Classic and Puerto Rico Open. He furthermore won the Jones Cup, an amateur match, earlier this one year.
PGA of The US @PGA
Newbie Davis Thompson is 1-under through 18 holes at Winged Foot.
“I’ve taught Davis since he used to be 12 years archaic. He’s repeatedly been very easy & poised in golf tournaments. The bigger the stress the more centered he becomes.” – PGA Coach Eric Eshleman #USOpen https://t.co/k8KzJeO9Hh
One component that helped keep Thompson at ease at some point of the U.S. Open used to be being paired in a neighborhood with Harris English and Brendon Todd, both Georgia alums.
“I mean, I play deal of golf with Harris and Brendon, accurate them being Georgia guys,” he told reporters. “So as that used to be a contented pairing. Yeah, I used to be a little bit worried, but after I hit that first tee shot, I judge I used to be ready to roll.”
Any other that presumably helped used to be having his father Todd—who furthermore performed for Georgia within the 1980s—working as his caddie.
And Thompson is now not always definitely contented accurate to be there.
“Yeah, accurate compete, accurate plot basically the most titillating that I will. I’m no longer oblivious to the actual fact right here is my first predominant championship. I’m going to be worried, but that’s share of it,” he said. “Correct variety compete my tail off, accurate cease in my routine, accurate no longer secure it bigger than it’s. Correct variety are trying and play golf care for I plot each day. I’m no longer right here to be a tourist.”
Thompson will check to continue his success in Round 2. He’ll tee off with English and Todd at 12: 54 p.m. ET on Friday at Winged Foot.
