2010 U.S. Open Championships Web Site
YouTube video featuring Bennett Blakeman playing at U.S. Open
Amateur Bennett Blakeman of Burr Ridge, Ill., a 2009 Illinois Wesleyan graduate, finished with a 24-over par total of 166 and failed to make the cut in the 2010 U.S. Open Golf Championships at Pebble Beach, Calif., on Friday, June 18.
Blakeman, a first team All-American at IWU in 2009, finished 156th in the field after a second-day score of 14-over 85 after a first round 81 (+10). The starting field was pared after 36 holes to the low 60 scorers (and ties) and any player within 10 strokes of the leader. The cut was at 149 (7-over) and featured 83 players for the weekend.
In his second round Blakeman had one birdie, seven pars and seven bogeys with three holes played in double bogey or more on the par 71, 7.040-yard layout, regarded as one of the most difficult and beautiful golf courses in the U.S.
Blakeman's first- and second-round playing partners were Korean Kenny Kim and Blaine Peffley, both of whom also missed the cut. Kim finished with a 151 total (78-73) while Peffley finished just ahead of Blakeman in 155th place with a total of 165 (86-79).
The 36-hole lead is held by Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, who had a 68 Friday for a 139 total. Two-time U.S. Open champion Ernie Els of South Africa, who also had a second-round 68, Dustin Johnson and 18-year-old Ryo Ishikawa of Japan are two strokes back with 2010 Masters champion Phil Mickelson at 141.
FIRST DAY STORY
Amateur Bennett Blakeman of Burr Ridge, Ill., a 2009 Illinois Wesleyan graduate, carded a 10-over par 81 in the first round of the 2010 U.S. Open Golf Championships at Pebble Beach, Calif., on Thursday, June 17.
Blakeman, a first team All-American at IWU in 2009, is tied for 151st in the field of 156 and will tee off on Friday at 11:12 a.m. (Central), starting on the 10th hole. The starting field of 156 golfers will be cut after 36 holes to the low 60 scorers (and ties) and any player within 10 strokes of the leader.
In his first round Blakeman hit 12 of 18 greens in regulation and hit 10 of 14 fairways but had 39 total putts (2.17 per hole). He had one sand save in three attempts and his average driving distance was 307.5 yards (calculated on holes No. 2 and 14).
Blakeman had two birdies and six pars, eight bogeys and two double bogeys. His birdies came on the par 5, 523-yard No. 6 hole and on the par 4, 403-yard No. 16 hole.
Blakeman's first- and second-round playing partners are Korean Kenny Kim and Blaine Peffley. On Thursday Kim shot a 78 and Peffley had the highest score of the day with an 86.
Three are tied for the first round lead - Shaun Micheel of the United States, Paul Casey of England and Zimbabwe's Brendon De jonge with 2-under par scores of 69 on the par 71, 7.040-yard layout.
Among notable players, defending champion Lucas Glover and Ernie Els are at 2-over par 73 while Tiger Woods shot a 3-over 74 and 2010 Masters champion Phil Mickelson is at 4-over with a 75.
