Jorgensen Vies For Medalist Honors With 8-under 136

Washington, Mich. – Eric Jorgensen made five birdies Tuesday on his way to a 4-under-par 68 for a two-day total of 8-under 136 to seize the lead for medalist honors at the 2002 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. Seventy-eight golfers still have not completed their second round of stroke play.

Jorgensen, 22, from Grandville, Mich., opened up with three straight birdies in calm and moist conditions at the 7,001-yard par-72 Orchards Golf Clubs and held on to the momentum gained from winning the North & South Amateur at Pinehurst earlier in the month.

“I started out pretty much on fire," said Jorgensen. "Fresh off one of the top amateur events in the country (North & South), to play well in match play there gives me a lot of confidence coming into this week."

On his chances at being the medalist, Jorgensen, a senior at Michigan State, said: “Being medalist would be an honor, but being medalist doesn’t take you to Augusta. I’m after the hardware.”

While Johnson said he enjoys match play, he remains focused on the task at hand.

“I traveled 15 hours to the North & South. I didn’t go there to lose, and I didn’t come here to lose either.”

Standing two shots back after rounds of 69-69 – 138 is Brent Wanner, 20, of Mashpee, Mass. Wanner, a senior at Wake Forest, putted more confidently Tuesday, but felt he left some shots on the course.

“Going out today I just wanted to play solid," said Wanner. "In the back of my mind, though, I really wanted to play well enough to win [medalist honors]. But, I’m excited and playing really well. I’m ready for match play tomorrow.”

Joining Wanner at 138 was J.J. Jakovac, who also shot 69-69. Jakovac, 19, of Napa, Calif., was just happy to make it to match play after failing to qualify for match play in last year's championship.

"It doesn't matter now how well you place; everyone's a good match, and you never know," said Jakovac. "I'm getting really comfortable with match play and if I can hit 17 greens like I did today I'll have a definite advantage."

Danny Green, 45, of Jackson, Tenn., who came in at 69-70 – 139, had an up-and-down round, including four birdies and two bogeys that put him on the defensive early.

“I birdied the first, but flew the green on the second and was lucky to make bogey,” said Green, last year’s runner-up. “From there I just had to play cautiously, because before I knew it I was one back after four holes. But I got it going again with birdies on 13 and 14 and thought I might have finished with the low score of the morning groups.”

Defending champion Chez Reavie, 20, of Mesa, Ariz., rallied with a 68 to finish 73-68 – 141 for the stroke play portion of the championship.

“The wind just wasn’t blowing today," said Reavie. "I was hitting the same shots as I did yesterday, but instead of short or long they were landing by the hole today. I played great; I just didn’t make a lot of putts.”

Current U.S. Junior Amateur champion Henry Liaw, 16, of Rowland Heights, Calif., finished 71-70 – 141, and is poised to make his way into the match-play portion of the championship.

Said Liaw: “I had some opportunities, but I’m safely into match play. Match play is all about luck, so once you’re in anything can happen.”

First-round leader Hunter Mahan (66) teed off at 11:30 a.m., and Jay Choi (67) started at 1:09 p.m.

Following today’s round the field will be trimmed to the top 64 players. These 64 will compete in the first round of stroke play Wednesday, hoping to make it to the round of 32. The championship continues through Saturday’s 36-hole final, with the winner earning an invitation to play in the next Masters tournament.

The Amateur Public Links is open to amateur golfers who are bona fide public course players and have USGA Handicap Indexes not exceeding 8.4.

The U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

Story written by David Normoyle, USGA.