Puyat qualifies for US Junior Amateur tilt

MANILA, Philippines - Marcel Puyat shot a brilliant five-under par 67 to finish joint second in the 2010 USGA Junior Amateur Qualifying and gain a berth in the tournament proper slated July 19-24 in Michigan.

Puyat, who ruled the Texas Junior Open last April, rallied in the final day of the two-day elims, hitting seven birdies against two bogeys to clinch one of the three US Junior Am slots staked in their side of the elims.

The ICTSI golf scholar had 33-34 for that 67 at The Old Fort Golf Club in Mursfreeboro, Tennessee as he tied Chad Ramey, who fired a 69, for second at 141.

Tennessee’s Wesley Gosselin topped the qualifier with a 139 after a 72 on a hot, humid day.

After a so-so 74 in the first round, Puyat buckled down to work with back-to-back birdies from No. 2. He missed the green on No. 5 and wound up with a bogey but came through with a three-birdie string from No. 8 then added two more on Nos. 12 and 13.

He three-putted No. 18 from 30 feet, missing a three-foot putt for par for that 67.

“We were very tense after he flubbed that short par putt because there were still some contenders playing. We were expecting for a playoff but some of the first day leaders struggled and finished with high scores,” said ICTSI golf team coach Bong Lopez, who caddied for the 17-year-old Puyat.

This year’s USGA Junior Amateur Championship will be played at the Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada, Michigan with Puyat trying to improve on his Last 16 finish last year.

Puyat lost to Japanese Shuugo Imahira, 3&2, for a berth in the quarters.