Colorado State University Athletics
Jones Delivers Birthday Present, Advances at U.S. Amateur
8/16/2023 3:36:00 PM | Men's Golf
Connor Jones becomes the first Ram to advance to the Round of 32 at the U.S. Amateur
"I honestly forgot it was my birthday until I started to receive text's this morning," Jones said. "I have just been so focused on the tournament."
The Colorado native has enjoyed his time playing in his home state so far earning the nine seed and finishing tied for eighth after the two-day qualifying on Monday and Tuesday.
Working to find his game early in the round, Jones went down 1 early but responded quickly taking the fourth and fifth hole to gain momentum and the lead thanks to his strong wedge play.
He carried a 1-up lead at the turn and turned on the jets to start his back nine. Pushing the lead to two on 10 with a par his wedge game once again became an advantage on the 638-yard par 5 11th. Jones went on to birdie the hole.
Jones buried a 40-foot birdie putt on the par 3 12th advancing to a 4-up lead.
The match ended on the par 3, 15th as Jones and Marzilio halved it, with Jones up four with three to play. Jones becomes the first Ram to ever advance to the Round of 32 at the U.S. Amateur.
He will square off against the 2021 Champion Nick Dunlap, who plays his college golf at Alabama. Dunlap advanced on Tuesday by defeating the top-ranked amateur, Gordon Sargent 2&1. They will tee off at 8:30 am MT Thursday.
Players Mentioned
