North Carolina State University Athletics
Byrd Qualifies For U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier
5/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
May 12, 2005
WALLACE, N.C. - Andrew Byrd, a rising sophomore on the NC State men's golf team, shot a 66 at the U.S. Open Local Qualifying Round at River Landing Country Club on Wednesday to tie for third place out of 132 participants. Byrd qualifies for the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying Round, which will be played June 6 at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md.
"I can't even put into words how awesome that round went," Byrd said. "I am real excited about shooting six-under. It is a real confidence boost to qualify again among such an elite group. Next weekend I'm going to Buies Creek (N.C.) with Stephen Lewton to play in the Keith Hills Amateur and I'm hoping to keep this momentum going into the Sectional Qualifier."
Byrd, who shot a 67 at River Landing last year to qualify for the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier, helped NC State to a fourth place finish at the Courtyard by Marriott Intercollegiate last month with a two-over finish.
Byrd, who hails from Henderson, N.C., finished ahead of several big names at the local qualifier on Wednesday, including All-Americans Jack Ferguson and Matt Hendrix, tour winners Bobby Clampett and John Inman, 2004 ACC Champion Sean Moore, 2005 ACC Rookie of the Year Webb Simpson and 2005 ACC Champion and ACC Player of the Year Ryan Blaum.
Two strokes under par through eight holes, Byrd actually double-bogeyed the ninth hole, making him even at the turn. Firing 30 on the backside, he made five birdies and an eagle on the last nine holes to finish six-under.
Taylor Crosby, a rising senior for the Wolfpack, shot par to tie for 31st place.
For complete results from the 2005 U.S. Open Local Qualifying Round go to www.carolinasgolf.org and for more information about the 2005 U.S. Open visit www.usopen.com.
