Who’s your picks? Your dark horse? People you’re hoping are the next big thing? I’m also excited to see how Bandon tests these guys. My young bucks to watch are: Angus Flanagan (Gotta keep an eye on my gophers). Angus won the Big Ten championship his sophomore season at the U, and more recently was medalist at the Western Amateur at Crooked Stick. Played in the 3m Open (PGA Tour event), and shot a course record 64 in a final round surge to win the Minnesota Open. Frankie Capan (Bama). Has a good little Season going. Another Minnesota Native. Coached by George Gankas, Took home the Minnesota State Amateur title. Also the Milkiest swing in college as voted by Milky Golf and followers. Preston Summerhays (Scottsdale, AZ). Won the US Junior Am last year at Inverness. Most recently won the Sunnehanna Am. Plays often with Tony Finau. The dude can flat out play. His sister Grace is also a STUD. His dad is a great follow on the gram. John Augenstein (Vanderbilt) Last years runner up. The dude is a stick. Other notables I keep an eye on, but don't overly root for them as they are considered favorites. I like the under the radar kind of guys (for the most part). I was big fan of Hovland before he was popular. Aman Gupta (OSU) Austin Eckroat (OSU) Parker Coody (Texas) Pierceson Coody (Texas) Cole Hammer (Texas)

John Pak (FSU), Jordan Bachelor (Some kid who lives down the street), and Micheal Thor (Stanford). You already mentioned Preston and anyone who happened to pick up local caddie Felipe Chavez has my vote.

I can't believe the scores them guys put up in that wind. Its crazy!

andyk856 I thought I was looking at the wrong tournament leader board yesterday when I accidentally sorted bottom to top. I also couldn't believe how many of the Walker Cup boys struggled. I do wonder if different courses being played in those wind conditions will make a difference. One shot though is the difference of 60 positions so it will be fun to watch and I'm excited that it will be televised.

I always root for the Longhorns in the field.

Though it doesn't look good for them...

Speaking of which, this thread just put Akshay Bhatia to my mind. It wasn’t long ago that his name was plastered all over the golf world and social media. I’m interested to see if he can make a career for himself in the next few seasons and hope that skipping the collegiate realm doesn’t bite him.

ckay I think it will. He needs more of an edge to him otherwise he’ll pull a Ty Tryon and full on eject from the scene

PureStickGolf I mean look at Kuchar. Guy went to GT instead of turning pro and has one hell of a career. I remember being shocked he didn’t turn pro.

Putterho highly reputable take. John Pak was gonna go nuts this year until it got canceled

US Amateur

Timmynole

ckay he just won a swing thought tour event

ckay

Timmynole yeah I saw that. I hope he does well. Has a lot of talent and I don’t like seeing anyone fail in their mission.

bigjohntripod

I thought AB was home schooled and couldn’t get into college (not that you can’t get into college if you’re home schooled)? 👀 Or at least where he wanted (if so) to go. Awful move Turning pro. Dude was a fire Amateur.

Putterho

bigjohntripod Akshay did just win his first pro event last week.

Putterho

And ..... the young kid who lives down the street Jordan Batchelor goes -2 for the round and T30 to make match play while a lot of my can't miss guys got tangled in the wind.

bigjohntripod

Putterho Really? I ain’t seent nothing on it. Awesome tho. I hope he makes it. I just think it was a terrible decision to turn pro so soon.

ForeLeft

Putterho Akshay did just win his first pro event last week.

@bigjohntripod , missed cut at the Wyndham today. Decent first round, but not so much today.

seth910

Summerhays

ForeLeft

My money is on Frankie Capan

KentonQ

I can't find it now, but saw a graphic yesterday comparing scoring average, etc. on the morning v. afternoon waves and it was jarring.

bigjohntripod

Wind is blowing HARD today! Great to watch on the tv. Place looks awesome!

KentonQ

Found it.

Eddie

KentonQ

Damn.

Bandon is definitely exponentially more fun with the winds kicked up, it's almost the novelty of getting to club up or down a crazy amount.

ckay

Damn caddie!

Eddie

I would’ve missed this had @dphatt not let me know.

wow.

ckay

Crazy, and the caddie lied about it repeatedly.

mljones99

Dude had the balls to try and deny it....

Eddie

Is the caddie a local caddie, or someone who has prior relationship with Pinto?

ckay

Eddie I would assume a local.

ckay

Eddie confirmed as a local.

mljones99

Apparently I've been under a rock but I just realized Matt Sharpestene advanced. UNCC represent!

KentonQ

That was a TOUGH scene.