Three Sun Devils -- from three decades -- in the top 10 after the first round of @TheOpen ( Jon Rahm, Pat Perez, Chez Reavie) pic.twitter.com/Y337gNtSkj
— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) July 20, 2018
Thursday was a good day for the Sun Devil men's golf program at the highest level (British Open) and for a teenager.Cameron Sisk is the seventh #USJuniorAm quarterfinalist. He never trailed in his 4-and-3 win over Tommy Stephenson! https://t.co/mFrPlamRf7 pic.twitter.com/Rle5Cy5vet
— USGA (@USGA) July 19, 2018
A trio of Sun Devils are tied for eighth at the British Open at 2-under, just three shots off the lead after the first day. Jon Rahm, Pat Perez and Chez Reavie represent three decades of ASU, but each of them is in contention. Perez was a member of the 1996 NCAA Championship team, Reavie was the 2001 U.S. Public Links champion and Rahm earned the Ben Hogan Award in both 2015-16.What a bunker shot from Chez Reavie!
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 19, 2018
Full Scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/gUchWf0Gui
At the 2018 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, held at Baltusrol Golf Club (Upper Course), in Springfield, N.J., incoming Sun Devil freshman Cameron Sisk, 18, of El Cajon, Calif., defeated Robin Williams, 5 and 3, in the Round of 32 and defeated Tommy Stephenson, 4 and 3, in the Round of 16Nothing to see here. Just Jon Rahm driving the 352 yard par 4 3rd ???? pic.twitter.com/VgdW8UCgcs
— Dan Hauser (@DanHauserGolf) July 19, 2018
He will face Thomas Ponder in the quarterfinals on Friday at 7:36 a.m. Eastern.
"It's awesome," said Sisk about advancing to the quarterfinals. "I can't wait. I'm on a roll right now. Last year I got out in the round of 64, so I was eager to come back and play match play and see how I could do. It's exciting."
Sisk got up early in his afternoon match and never looked back.
"I got off to a good start and hit a good drive. He didn't hit the best drive, so I hit it up there on the green, tapped in my par, and he made bogey. From there I was rolling, and I think I won two of the next three holes. From there I had control of the match. I was making pars and had one birdie I think after that, but pretty much in control most of the match. On No. 3 I hit a 5-iron to about 20 feet an made that. Then I hit a 5-iron from the fairway on 4 to about four feet and made that, so that was good. (No.) 9 I hit a 3-wood and lob wedge to about four feet and made that.
Winning two matches in the heat wasn't easy, but Sisk stayed focused.
"You got to stay hydrated; you got to keep feeding yourself. It's a grind. I think if you just take it one shot at a time and stay focused, don't get ahead of yourself, it's fine. Don't worry as much about your partner and what they're doing. I was good today and ept the ball in front of me. That's all I wanted to do. I'm playing well right now. I love the way my game feels right now. I think as long as I keep doing what I'm doing I'll keep advancing."
After advancing to the round of 64 last year but falling, Sisk told the USGA he has learned much since the 2017 Junior Amateur.
"I honestly don't think I was the best match play player then. I've learned a lot. I've been able to play a little bit of match play since then. I think that's helped a lot. I'm one more year mature. I think my game is a little better. I think it's just a little bit of everything.