BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Fresh off of his NCAA West Regional appearance over the weekend in Bremerton, Wash., Elon University senior Jimmy Lytle (Ocean Ridge, Fla./Pope John Paul II) participated in the U.S. Open Local Qualifier on his home course Monday at Pine Tree Golf Club.
Lytle fired a two-under-par 70 to claim a share of second place in the 84-player field. More importantly, his score in the one-round event qualified him for a U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier, a two-round event, early next month at Jupiter Hills Golf Club in Jupiter, Fla. A strong showing in sectional play would qualify Lytle for next month’s U.S. Open.
In the local-qualifying tournament, medalist Horacio Leon (69) of Chile and co-runners-up Lytle, Steve Burns (70) and Dave Clodfelter (70) of Delray Beach, Fla., all earned sectional spots. Brian Vranesh (71) of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Hugo Leon (71) of Chile tied for fifth place, each earning sectional trips as well.
Prior to last week, Lytle built a 72.22 scoring average for 32 rounds – the third-best average in the Southern Conference – for the 2007-08 season. The three-time All-SoCon player and the four-time Elon MVP tied for fourth place at the 2008 SoCon Championship.
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