First career victory comes in Maryland Amateur Public Links
After firing an opening round 71 to take the lead in the 36-hole Maryland Amateur Public Links Friday, Joseph Kim waited out two rain delays and received some less-than-flattering encouragement from his friends.
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“They said, ‘You better pray for rain to keep pouring,’” said Kim, a Rockville resident. “They didn’t think I could keep the lead if we played 36 holes. So I started thinking, ‘If it storms, I win.’ Instead I should have been thinking, ‘If I play well, I win.’”
But after the rain subsided, Kim surprised his pals, others in the field of 67, and even himself, by shooting a second-round 73 to beat defending champion Ted Coon (Silver Spring) by two strokes. The 7th annual event attracts the state’s top amateurs, not affiliated with a private club.
“It was the first time I’d been in contention in two years,” said Kim, 21. “I’ve never been in this position [in the lead] before.”
The victory also was a surprise to Kim considering his recent putting woes. While this has been his best summer for ball striking, it’s also been his worst for putting. Monday in the U.S. Amateur qualifier at Hayfields, Kim took an unsightly 41 putts in his opening-round 83, before shooting a 73 in the afternoon.
“I’ve never hit the ball this well. My putter just has to come along and I’ll start shooting low numbers,” said Kim, a graduate of Walter Johnson.
“I’m struggling with my line and my speed. It’s been a roller coaster.”
With Northwest Golf Course playing to 7,148 yards, matching the longest track in Maryland State Golf Association tournament history, the setup favored Kim’s strong tee-to-green game.
After playing a six-hole stretch in 5-over-par in the morning, Kim recovered by making six birdies and no bogeys over the next 18 holes. In his final nine, however, Kim made bogey-double bogey on back-to-back holes before another storm hit Northwest.
But instead of listening to his doubting friends, the delay gave Kim a chance to regain his mental edge as he recalled advice from women’s star Cristie Kerr, who he met when working as a media intern last month at the LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock.
When Kim emerged from the clubhouse, he finished with par-saving putts of 5, 8, 3, 5, and 3 feet on the final five holes.
“Until Friday, I never knew I could handle the pressure,” said Kim. “But now I realize I can putt even when I can’t feel my hands.”
It was the first individual title for Kim. In 2007, he partnered with current University of Maryland standout Hilary Lawson to win the Maryland Mixed Two Ball. Last year they finished a stroke back. The two often caddie for each other, as they did for their respective U.S. Amateur qualifiers this month.
Lese’s dream deferred
Last month, on his way to a runner-up finish in the Maryland Amateur, Zach Lese talked of his plan to turn pro later this summer. But after qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Monday at Hayfields Country Club, Lese will have to wait at least another month before entering any mini-tour events.
Lese will play in the Amateur, Aug. 24-30, at Southern Hills in Tulsa.
“No, I’m not missing that, no chance,” said Lese, 26, a resident of Silver Spring.
Lese was exhausted Monday night after playing 43 holes in 90-degree heat. He shot a 2-under-par 72-70 – 142 to tie Tracy Vallandingham of Leonardtown for the third qualifying berth, necessitating a sudden-death playoff, which lasted seven pressure-packed holes.
After Lese, a member at Argyle, and Vallandingham, a member at Bretton Bay, matched pars for the first six holes, Lese finally ended it with a 15-foot birdie putt in near darkness. It was the fourth straight time, and sixth that day, the duo played No. 11, a 167-yard par 3.
When asked afterward if he had ever been through anything similar, Lese rattled off several wild playoff scenarios, in which he was involved, including two others where he made birdie to advance.
“I played solid all day. I just had three bogeys and they were all three-putts,” said Lese. “I just played solid, steady golf. That’s all I did, nothing special.”
Some would disagree.
Shootout at Worsham
With six players at par or better, bunched within three strokes, the final round of the 58th Bubby Worsham Memorial promises to be interesting today at Glenn Dale Golf Club.
Defending champion Jay Mulieri (Silver Spring), who won the Maryland Amateur last month at Chevy Chase, shot 67-70 – 137 in the first two rounds Monday and Tuesday to take the lead.
Following closely are Brendan Kelly of Annapolis (68-70 – 138), Jason Clatworthy of Laurel (67-72 – 139), Charlie Winegardner of Lothian (68-72 – 140), Garrett Harding of Annapolis (71-69 – 140), and Sean Bosdosh of Clarksburg (73-67 – 140).
Park close in VSGA Junior
Making six birdies in a stretch of seven holes put Ji Soo Park of Centreville on the leaderboard in the Virginia State Junior Monday. And Park remains in contention, two strokes back, entering today’s final round (68-71 – 139) at the Country Club of Petersburg.
The leaders are Mikey Moyers (Standardsville) and 15-year-old Adam Ball (Richmond), both at 137. Nick Austin (Midlothian) is at 138. Moyers, 18, has won the Virginia State Golf Association Junior Match-Play the last three years.
