Jack Is Back At Cherry Hills; U.S Amateur Day One Complete

Though Bobby Wyatt leads (Ron Balicki's recap here) after the first round of stroke play qualifying in the U.S. Amateur, the real story of day one was delivered by David Shefter, writing of Jack Nicklaus' cameo to watch reinstated amateur Gary Nicklaus en route to an opening 71 (scores here).

Cherry Hills played to a 76.013 scoring average in round one.

U.S. Women's Amateur Winner Is Thinking About Going To College Someday

Beth Ann Baldry on Lydia Ko, 15 years old, winning the U.S. Women's Amateur.

Not so fast, Ko said. The 112th U.S. Women’s Amateur champion wants to go to college. Her “role models” are Michelle Wie and Lexi Thompson (a subtle reminder that she’s 15), but she doesn’t want to follow their career paths. Ko wants to play college golf.

“There are so many people in New Zealand that go to college overseas,” Ko said, “and I think that kind of inspired me.”

Last year Ko visited Stanford, but the academic regimen might prove too touch. She’s rethinking her options. Ko misses so much school in New Zealand that even when she’s in class the teacher sometimes marks her absent out of habit.

Video: U.S. Women's Am Has Started & Includes The 10-Year-Old Who Can't Relate To Old Guy Beiber

Andrew Luria files a nice Tampa ABC affiliate story on Latanna Stone, the 10-year old teeing off in today's U.S. Women's Amateur at Cleveland's The Country Club.

Stone unfortunately opened with an 82. But, uh, she is after all, 10 years old!

A Truly Depressing Incorrect Scorecard Signing Story

Thanks to reader Robert for Rob Moseley's story on high school senior Caroline Inglis losing her bid for a fourth state golf title when she signed for an incorrect score** following her final round in the Class 5A girls championship, at a golf course actually named Trysting Tree Golf Club. Really.

Because the reported total was lower than her actual score — 68, rather than 69 — Inglis was disqualified from a tournament she was on pace to win by nine strokes over her closest competitor.

The shocking turn of events came 41 years after her father, Bill, signed for an incorrect score at the 1971 state tournament, family members said, denying the South Eugene boys a team title.

Oh it gets worse.

Caroline Inglis played throughout her senior season after learning of a leukemia diagnosis to Bill last year, and through the proceeding treatment, including a stem-cell transplant from her aunt, Jane, about four months ago that has so far proven successful.

“It definitely affected my play; my dad taught me the game, and I grew up playing with him,” Inglis said before learning of her disqualification. “So it was definitely hard to go out and play. But I worked myself through it, and he’s doing a lot better now.

“I wanted to win for him, make him proud. And I did. It feels great, and I’m so glad that he could be here to watch, and that he’s healthy.”

Inglis will be playing at University of Oregon this fall.

**Not sure why the link changed but the original story has been located and the link embedded.

More Q-School Demise Fallout: Walker Cup Captain Scouring Junior Ranks For Possible Players

I think Scott Michaux was a bit stunned to find 2013 Walker Cup Captain Jim Holtgrieve scouting players at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, now in its second year of glorious excess. Holtgrieve confirms he is hitting the junior golf trail in anticipation of Q-School's demise causing top players to turn pro long before the Walker Cup at The National Golf Links.

“I’m going to be a little more cognizant about junior play because I think that’s probably where it’s going to go,” Holtgrieve said of the Walker Cup selection process. That’s a safe bet considering 2011 Sage Valley runner-up Patrick Rodgers made Holtgrieve’s 10-man roster last fall.

“Last year having Patrick Rodgers on the team was eye-opening,” said George Cunningham, 15, of Tucson, Ariz., who played in his second Junior Invitational.

Because of the pending changes to Q-School, Holtgrieve has received every indication that top American collegians Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth will pass up hanging around as amateurs another year in order to participate in the final Q-School that hands out PGA Tour cards. Cantlay and Spieth were Holtgrieve’s top point-getters with 2.5 each in last year’s Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen, and they would have been the expected leaders for next year’s campaign to win back the cup.

“Nobody is a lock, but there’s no doubt about it that both of them are great players and great ambassadors for the United States,” Holtgrieve said. “So selfishly I’m hoping they stay amateur and try to make the team again.”

Realistically, he knows that won’t happen. Because Holtgrieve understands that amateur and collegiate golf are all the unintended victims of the death of Q-School.

“Absolutely,” he said when the trickle-down consequence of Q-School’s demise was broached.

By the way, if you get weepy seeing the yellow jacket ceremony at the Junior Invitational presented by Electrolux, or nauseous at the sight of 16 year olds with caddies in white overalls, don't watch the final round highlights produced by PGA Tour Productions. They also had W on hand for the banquet.

Most Amateurs Make Cut Since All-Star Class Of '03

Sean Martin on the three amateurs making the cut, starting with Hideki Matsuyama, the two-time Asian Amateur champ who has a four-shot lead.

And Brett Avery in his 36-hole stat notes, points this out about the company Matsuyama, Cantlay and Kraft are in.

9. This is the first time three amateurs have made the cut since 2003: Hideki Matsuyama (145, T-31), Patrick Cantlay (149, T-57) and Kelly Kraft (149, T-57). Back in 2003 the trio was Ricky Barnes (291, solo 21st), Hunter Mahan (294, T-28) and Ryan Moore (301, T-45). In fact, in the last six years a combined two amateurs survived the cut (Matteo Manasero, T-36 in 2010; Matsuyama, T-27 last year). And Matsuyama becomes the first making consecutive cuts since Matt Kuchar in 1998-99.