Morrison Is U.S. Junior Medalist ; Ohe Makes Match Play; Birdwell Will Play off in AM

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- There was a widely held belief in the 1960s and '70s that golfers under 6 feet had an advantage, because it was easier for them to keep their ballance, or some such nonsense. The theory came about mainly as a result of the success of players such as Arnold Palmer (5-10), Jack Nicklaus (5-10), Gary Player (5-6), Lee Trevino (5-7) and Tom Watson (5-9). But as golf has become more and more a power game, the theory has changed. The success of major champions Ernie Els (6-2), Phil Mickelson (6-2), Vijay Singh (6-2), Jon Rahm (6-2) and Scottie Scheffler (6-3), among others, has made it pretty obvious that bigger is better -- last week's victory by Brian Harman (5-7) at the 2023 British Open notwithstanding.

You could think of Tommy Morrison as the ultimate example of the new golfing prototype. He's 6-10.

The 18-year-old University of Texas freshman from Dallas (he started college early) made 10 birdies and an eagle during the 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying at the U.S. Junior Amateur over the last two days, and the 3-under-par 69 that he shot on Tuesday at the Daniel Island Club's Ralston Creek Course gave him a 135 total -- and medalist honors.

He finished one ahead of Andrew Gregory, 17, a Liberty recruit from South Carolina who shot 66 at Ralston on Monday and followed it with a 1-under 70 at the other course being used this week, Beresford Creek. Another Texan, 16-year-old Tyler Sanford, was bogey-free for the second day in a row as he shot 67 at Ralston and finished stroke play in third place at 137. After that, it got crowded. There was a five-way tie for fourth at 138.

"I want to win as many medals and trophies as I can get," Morrison said after accepting his U.S. Junior medal. "Any USGA medal is a good one."

On Wednesday, he'll begin the match-play part of the tournament.

As the No 1 seed, he could be playing Jake Birdwell, the Minnesota state high school champion (Class AAA). Birdwell dug a hole for himself on Monday, when he shot a 5-over-par 77 at Ralston Creek, but he came back on Tuesday with a 3-under 68 at Beresford Creek. The resulting 36-hole total of 145 has him in a 14-way tie for 58th place. Only 64 players make it to match play; so Birdwell, a soon-to-be senior at Spring Lake Park, will be part of a 14-for-7 playoff Wednesday morning. He will go off in the second threesome at 7:12 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time).

There will be at least one Minnesota junior in match play. Torger Ohe, who concluded his sophomore year at Edina this spring by finishing third in the state tournament, and leadiing the Hornets to the team championship. (Edina now has 200 state high school team titles.) Ohe opened the week at Daniel Island with a 74 at Ralston and followed it with a 70 at Beresford Creek. His aggregate of 144 put him in a 10-way tie for 44th.


U.S. Junior Amateur

At Daniel Island Club

Ralston Creek Course (par 72, 7,351 yards)

& Beresford Creek Course (par 71, 7,029 yards

Charleston, S.C.

Stroke play

(All matches will be played at Ralston Creek Course)

1. Tommy Morrison 66B-69R--135

2. Andrew Gregory 66R-70B--136

3. Tyler Sanford 70B-67R--137

T4. Joshua Bai 66R-72B--138

T4. Kelvin Hernandez 70R-68B--138

T4. Will Hartman 66B-72R--138

T4. Billy Davis 69R-69B--138

T4. Ethan Fang 67B-71R--138

T44. Torger Ohe 74R-70B--144

T58. Jake Birdwell 77R-68B--145 (will be in a 14-for-7 playoff Wednesday morning)

Missed cut (145)

Andrew Ramos 79R-74B--153

Andrew Ballou 78B-81R--159