Atlanta native Chris Harris claims medalist honors at U.S. Amateur qualifier

Voted as one of the top collegiate freshmen players in the nation, 19-year-old Chris Harris of Atlanta is now ready to take on some of the top amateur golfers on the planet.

Five strokes off the lead entering the second and final round of local qualifying for the United States Amateur Golf Championship on Tuesday, Harris shot a 3-under par 69 at Meadowbrook Country Club to finish with a 36-hole score of 141 and post a one stroke win over a quartet of players.

In his third attempt to qualify for the United States Amateur Championship — and first outside of his hometown — Harris posted his score of 141 early in the afternoon, then spent the next hour nervously waiting to see if he was in, as many of the top amateurs took aim at his final score.

But on a day where the tees were back and pin placements made even more difficult by sometimes breezy conditions, none of the final 15 players caught the Memphis-based Rhodes College standout.

“There were some good moments and some not so good moments the last two days. Fortunately, I was able to make a few more birdies than bogies,’’ Harris said. “I tried qualifying twice before in Atlanta without much luck, so I thought I’d try it up here once. I guess it was the right choice.’’

The win lifts Harris into the U.S. Amateur Championship on Aug. 17-23 at Olympia Fields Country Club in suburban Chicago along with Todd Mitchell of Bloomington, Ill., and Wil Echemeier of Columbia, Mo.

Tied at 142 with first round leader Jack Knoesel and former Columbia and Milliken University standout Wes Hillen at 142 after 36 holes, Mitchell and Echemeier survived a five-hole sudden death playoff to grab the final two spots.

Knoesel and Hillen are the local alternates for the tournament.

Winner of the NCAA Divisin IIII Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award presented by the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation, Harris was the only player of the 51-players remaining after the 18 hole cut of 77, to break 70 on Tuesday.

“I just tried to hit greens and put myself in on the greens where I could have fairly routine 2-putt pars. I didn’t want to leave myself 10-12 footers coming bck for par. Especially where they had some of pins placed today,’’ Harris said. “To be able to qualify for the U.S. Amateur is just a great feeling. It’s by far the biggest tournament I’ve ever qualified for.’’

Hillen, now an assistant golf coach Milliken University, knows all about playing in the U.S. Amateur Championship, having qualfied in 2012. After shooting a 70 on Monday, Hillen appeared headed for a trip to the Chicago suburbs with three holes to play. But a double bogey on the par 4 16th hole followed by a bogey on 17 put his amateur championship hopes on hold.

But a miracle chip shot on the 18th hole, coming from 25 yards off the green, which went into the hole for birdie, ga ve Hillen a 72 for the day and at least for few minutes gave him hope that he could earn a second national finals mbid.

“It just got away from me for a couple of holes on the back nine,’’ Hillen said. “I plugged my shot into the (sand) bunker on 17 then blasted out and missed my putt for par. “Then on 18, I’m off the green and have I’d say 25 years to the hole and I chip it in for birdie.’’

Unfortunately, Hillen couldn’t keep the momentum. His drive on the first playoff hole, the par 4 10th, was pulled into the trees. After chipping into the fairway, Hillen’s third shot was just off the green on the right side, and he took three to get down from the green as he finished with a double bogey and was eliminated.

Four holes later, Mitchell and Echemeier eliminated Knoesel on the same hole.

Steven Soucek of Columbia finished with a 75 on Tuesday to complete his 36 holes at 145, while Michael Johnson of Maryville shot 78 on Tuesday to finish with a two round score of 153.

Milliken University junior Blaine Buente of Troy shot a 74 to finish at 151, while younger brother Austin Buente finished with an 85 to finish at 161.

This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 9:32 PM with the headline "Atlanta native Chris Harris claims medalist honors at U.S. Amateur qualifier."