HBCU product Willie Mack III had a run dreamt of by anybody who has ever picked up a golf membership within the U.S. Open Championship.  He had a possibility to play for the U.S. Nationwide Championship, coupled with being performed on historic Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina.
Mack performed himself into rivalry to make the 36-hole elimination lower. As with many professionals, the pin placement and lightning quick greens on lower day left no room for error leading to Mack being eradicated from rivalry.
He would finish his run with a 10-over-par 80 within the second spherical of the 2022 U.S. Open.  Mack was simply unable to get issues getting in the correct course, and with the holes’ challenges, errors ended up compounding earlier than issues acquired higher.
After qualifying for the match within the play-in, Mack turned a fan favourite because the story of his irregular journey to even pursue a profession in golf turned public.  Whereas the B-CU alum was honored with the chance to play within the U.S. Open, along with his experiences on the APGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and PGA Tour, he’s far past taking symbolic victories and is working to safe the flexibility to compete on the PGA Tour regularly.
Not since Jackson State’s Tim O’Neil certified for the U.S. Open in 2015 had an HBCU alum made their solution to the competitors. At the moment, JSU had probably the greatest golf applications within the nation beneath coach Eddie Payton.
The entrance 9 was a problem inside itself on Friday.  Willie Mack III would card three birdies and 6 pars on the entrance en path to a 3-over-par rating of 38.  The again 9 is the place issues fell aside.  Mack merely wouldn’t be capable to maintain issues going as he carded a 42, which in itself was 7-over-par.  He would tally an 11-over-par complete for the match after hanging throughout the lower line for all the entrance 9.
The U.S. Open is made to be a match that challenges golfers to make par.  This yr’s match challenged a lot of the subject to just do that.  A number of large names like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Rickie Fowler additionally did not make the lower.  Mack bested most of their scores till the ultimate 9 holes merely took his momentum.
Assist for Mack’s run was rampant on social media.  A Fb group known as Black Golf Alliance had a number of posts supporting Mack’s run and was energetic in detailing their experiences with Mack throughout his profession.  HBCU teams additionally famous Mack’s run, although many solely knew of his attending B-CU however weren’t conscious of his profession since he turned professional.
However, whereas Willie Mack will probably kick himself for the way shut he got here to the head of his profession, he has gained many informal followers within the course of.  The resilient journeyman will proceed his profession in a lot the identical method as he has made for himself, by grinding his was to each alternative.  All the way in which, making the HBCU nation proud.
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