History-making Omar Khalid storms into US Junior Amateur match play

KARACHI: Last year, Omar Khalid created a slice of history by becoming the youngest player to win the National Amateur Golf Championship of Pakistan at aged 16 in hometown Karachi.

On Wednesday, the talented youngster once again recorded history but this time at the world famous Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon, USA where he became the first Pakistani golfer to make the cut at any championship hosted by the United States Golf Association (USGA).

Omar, the reigning Pakistan No.1, sank seven birdies at the windswept Bandon Dunes course to fire a superb round of two-under par 70 and qualify for match play stage of the US Junior Amateur Golf Championship, considered as the most prestigious and competitive junior event in international golf. His heroics were enough for Omar to make the cut with a two-day aggregate of 143 after having posted 73 at the Bandon Trails course on Tuesday.

Omar's compatriot Yashal Shah who carded 75 on the opening day at Bandon Trails finished with a score of 77 in the second round at Bandon Dunes to fall out of the race for qualification to the match play stage of the championship.

Omar, who needed to finish among the top 64 players in a field of 264 top-ranked juniors from 25 nations to make it to match play, ended at 48th spot after posting an even-par total in 36-holes. The cut for match play came at 1-over-par 144.

An A levels student at Karachi's Nixor College, Omar made seven birdies against three bogies and a double bogey during his round. He made birdies on holes 3, 7, 8, 10, 13, 16 and 18.

“The conditions were quite challenging but I knew that to make the cut I had to take my chances,” Omar said. “The tee offs were delayed for more than two hours due to heavy fog but once the round began I was completely focussed on giving my best.”

Omar, who now faces USA's Caden Pinckes in the round of 64. A seasoned player, Pinckes was in full flow in the stroke play rounds and finished with an aggregate of 138 (-5).

By qualifying for the round of 64, Omar has made history. And the fact was duly highlighted by United States Golf Association (USGA) on its official website.

“Omar Khalid Hussain, 18, became the first golfer from Pakistan to make a cut in any USGA championship. Hussain, who competed in this year’s British Amateur, posted an even-par total of 143. Two years ago, he became the youngest winner of the Pakistan Amateur at 16,” the USGA, which hosts several prestigious championships including the US Open, posted on it website.

Meanwhile, USA's Keaton Vo earned the medallist honour by posting the best aggregate score in the stroke play stage of the championship. He equalled the course record by carding 65 at Bandon Dunes to finish with a 36-hole total of 9-under 134.

The start of the second round was delayed 2½ hours due to fog that caused several holes to be visually unplayable.

Defending champion Nick Dunlap of USA made match-play after posting a 71 at Bandon Dunes for a 36-hole total of 141. Last year’s semifinalists, Luke Potter and Luke Clanton from USA also qualified with totals of 138 and 142, respectively.

The cut for match play came at 1-over-par 144. Eleven players, who finished at 1 over, will play off for the last five spots in the match-play draw.