Kluver, Thompson Qualify for U.S. Amateur at Lochland CC
HASTINGS (July 12, 2021) – Luke Kluver of Norfolk and Jackson Thompson of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota advanced to the 2021 U.S. Amateur Championship on Monday through qualifying at Lochland Country Club in Hastings.
Kluver earned medalist honors and one of two spots in the championship with a 133 (-11) total. He started his day with a round of 68 (-4) and was three strokes back after the first round. fter a slow start, he caught fire and made five birdies on his second nine to get himself into position.
In the afternoon round, Kluver kept it rolling with an eagle on the par-5 first hole and added a birdie on No. 3 to jump up the leaderboard. After a bogey on No. 6, Kluver added birdies on Nos. 7 and 9 to turn in 32 (-4). He trailed Thompson at that point, who was 11-under with five holes to play. However, Kluver closed with three birdies and no bogeys on his back nine to match the round of the day. His 65 (-7) left him four strokes clear of his nearest competitors, and equalled Omaha's Andy Sajevic's first round of 65 (-7).
Thompson played his final five holes in four-over to fall to 7-under. He followed his morning 67 (-5) with a 70 (-2) in the afternoon to finish with a 137 (-7) total. It looked like Thompson would still take the second qualifying spot without playoff, but Papillion's Josh Wilson had other plans. Wilson birdied five of the last six holes to shoot 67 (-5) and tie Thompson at 7-under. He made 10 birdies during his second round.
Thompson and Wilson went into a playoff for the second spot, and Thompson earned redemption on No. 17, the first playoff hole. He had double-bogeyed the hole during his second round, but made a great par save in the playoff to win.
Wilson will be the first alternate, while Ryan Hybl of Norman, Oklahoma is the second alternate. Hybl, the head men's golf coach at Oklahoma University, shot two rounds of 69 (-3) to finish at 138 (-6).
Kluver and Thompson advance to the 121st U.S. Amateur Championship at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, August 9-15, 2021.
It will be the first time playing in the championship for Thompson, while Kluver will compete for the third time. Kluver will be a junior on the Kansas University golf team, while Thompson will be a sophomore on the Creighton University golf team.
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