Gerard Wins Qualifier For U.S. Open

Ryan Gerard, a Raleigh native who just finished his fifth season as a member of the University of North Carolina men's golf team, qualified Monday for the 2022 United States Open.

Gerard, who earned All-America and All-ACC honors this season, shot 5-under-par 137 in winning co-medalist honors in a 70-player field at the Club at Admiral's Cove in Jupiter, Fla.

He bested a field that included PGA stars Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff. The top four players in Jupiter qualified for the U.S. Open, which begins June 16 at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.

Gerard is the second Tar Heel to qualify for this year's Open. Austin Greaser made the U.S. Open field last summer when he finished second in the U.S. Amateur.

Gerard, who attended Ravenscroft High School, shot 5-under 66 in Monday's morning round and even-par 71 in the afternoon. He made six birdies and only one bogey in the first round. He opened the second round with birdies on three of the first holes then finished at even par.

Sean Jacklin of Scotland also shot 5-under 137 to share the top spot in the Jupiter qualifier with Gerard.

Ben Griffin, a 2018 UNC alumnus, finished one shot out of a playoff in Rockville, Md.; 2022 freshman David Ford shot 70-71 for a 3-under-par 141 but missed the playoff in Roswell, Ga., by three strokes. Sophomore Peter Fountain shot 2 under par in the second round in Columbus, Ohio, but did not advance.

Players Mentioned

David Ford

Peter Fountain

Ryan Gerard

Austin Greaser

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