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College golfer delivers US Amateur upset with added pressure of having just one extra golf ball
Oklahoma senior Ryder Cowan produced an upset at the US Amateur despite arriving for his match at Merion Golf Club with only two golf balls. The situation added unusual pressure to an already demanding tournament, where losing a ball could have complicated his chances against a highly seeded opponent.
Cowan had qualified as the No. 59 seed in the 64-player match-play field after surviving a 16-man play-off for 11 available places. The US Amateur is described as the world’s most prestigious amateur golf tournament, making both his qualification and subsequent upset notable.
In short
- Ryder Cowan upset a higher seed with only two golf balls.
- He qualified through a 16-player play-off.
- The match took place at Merion Golf Club.
Explained simply
The US Amateur is a major annual tournament for golfers who have not turned professional. It begins with stroke play, where players’ scores are counted across rounds, before the leading 64 qualify for match play, a knockout format in which golfers compete hole by hole.
Ryder Cowan is a senior at the University of Oklahoma and entered the match-play field as the 59th seed. He had secured a place by surviving a play-off, where 16 players competed for 11 spots.
Merion Golf Club, in Pennsylvania, has hosted major golf events and is known for its challenging course. In match play, a lost ball can cost a hole, so having only two balls available could make the task more difficult.