USCB golfer among 3 US Amateur qualifiers at Oldfield GC

Former USC Beaufort golfer Brad Curren parlayed his local knowledge into a U.S. Amateur ticket, claiming the last of three berths available from a qualifier Thursday at Oldfield Golf Club.

Taylor Funk, son of Champions Tour golfer Fred Funk, swept to medalist honors in the 36-hole qualifier with a second-day 70 that left him three shots ahead of his nearest pursuer. Funk finished two days at 7-under-par 137.

College of Charleston golfer Parker Derby qualified second after a Thursday 71, leaving him one stroke ahead of Curren, who just completed his senior season and was playing on the Sand Sharks’ home course.

The U.S. Amateur begins Aug. 15 at Oakland Hills Golf Club outside Detroit. Competitors will tee it up for two rounds of stroke play before the field is cut to the top 64 advancing to match play.

U.S. JUNIOR AMATEUR

IJGA student Arjun Puri was eliminated during the second round of match play, quickly undone by a four-birdie performance from Oklahoman Austin Eckroat in a 7 & 5 decision at The Honors Course outside Chattanooga, Tenn.

A bogey/bogey start put Puri into a 2-down hole quickly as Eckroat, of Edmond, Okla., wound up winning five of the first six holes. The Bluffton golfer never got closer than 4-down the rest of the way, with Eckroat winning the last three holes to finish off the match.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 7:23 PM with the headline "USCB golfer among 3 US Amateur qualifiers at Oldfield GC."