Jackson Solem of Longmont was in a heady position. The former 4A state high school champion had advanced to the round of 32 at the U.S. Junior Amateur and had taken a big step toward the Sweet 16.
The University of Denver signee made an eagle and two birdies in his first five holes and was 2 up in his round of 32 match on Thursday morning at Flint Hills National Golf Club in Andover, Kan. And he was still 2 up through eight holes on 12th-seeded Aman Gupta of Charlotte, N.C.
But that’s when things went awry for Solem (pictured) in a match that Gupta eventually won 2 and 1, ending the Coloradan’s run in arguably the most prestigious junior championship in the world.
Gupta won four straight holes (9-12) with pars as Solem went double bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey. Solem rebounded a bit with a birdie at No. 13, leaving him 1 down, but Gupta won No. 15 with a par then halved 16 and 17 with pars to end the match. In fact, Gupta parred the last 10 holes against Solem. (July 21 Update: Gupta ended up going to the quarterfinals before losing.)
Despite the defeat, Solem ended up advancing further in match play at the U.S. Junior Amateur than any Coloradan had since Wyndham Clark made the round of 16 in 2009.
And with Davis Bryant of Aurora making the round of 64, this year was the first time since 2013 that two Coloradans earned spots in the match-play bracket at this championship.
Here are the stroke-play scores for all the Coloradans who competed this week:ӬӬ
Made Match Play
“¨39. Jackson Solem, Longmont 75-69–144 (lost in round of 32)
“¨47. Davis Bryant, Aurora 71-74–145 (lost in round of 64)
ҬFailed to Advance to Match Play
“¨127. TJ Shehee, Mead 78-80–158
For all the results from the Junior Amateur, CLICK HERE.
