Razorbacks advance in Open qualifying

FAYETTEVILLE – Three Razorback men’s golfers advanced to sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open on Tuesday when they finished among the top four players at a local qualifying event at Chenal Country Club’s Founder’s Course. Junior Jamie Marshall, sophomore Ethan Tracy and senior Dalton Owens finished 1-1-4 at the event and were three of five Razorbacks to attempt to make the U.S. Open field.

Marshall and Tracy tied for medalist honors at the event with identical rounds of 68 while Owens was two shots off the pace at 70. Joe Doramus, a freshman who is redshirting his first year in Fayetteville finished tied for seventh with an even par 72 while freshman Austin Cook was one-over par at 73 to tie for 11th.

Arkansas’ qualifiers were remarkably consistent in their qualifying with Marshall firing a 35 on the front nine and backing it up with a 33. Tracy carded an identical 34 on both the front and back side of the course while Owens went 35-35 for his two-under-par 70. Doramus and Cook each played a strong nine holes, but problems on the front nine for Doramus (39-33=72) and the back nine for Cook (35-38=73) cost them a chance to advance to sectional qualifying.

By making it through the local qualifying stage, the three Razorbacks now have an opportunity to play in sectional qualifying for a chance at the U.S. Open in late June. Sectional qualifying begins May 24, but 13 of the 15 sectionals are scheduled for June 7 including competitions in nearby Memphis and St. Louis. Sectional qualifying consists of 36 holes.

The Razorbacks are back on the course next week when they take part in the NCAA Atlanta Regional for an opportunity to play at the NCAA Championships. The Atlanta Regional is scheduled for May 20-22 at the Capital City Club’s Crabapple Course.