The two-time CGA Mid-Amateur champion from Golden was involved in a playoff on Monday morning in Charlotte, N.C., to determine the final players to make match play at the U.S. Mid-Amateur.
And, with 16 golfers going for 12 spots, the chances appeared good for Thayer. After six players punched their tickets to match play with either birdies or pars on the first extra hole — and two golfers were eliminated with first-hole double bogeys — it was down to eight for two spots.
But Thayer sealed his fate with a second straight bogey in the playoff as six of the remaining golfers made par and advanced to match play.
Thayer had shot rounds of 73-74 over the weekend to tie for 53rd place out of 264 in the stroke-play portion of the event.
Thayer will now return to Colorado to defend his title Friday through Sunday at the CGA Mid-Amateur at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora.
The Mid-Amateur is limited to players 25 and older.
Here are the round-by-round scores for the Coloradans who competed at the U.S. Mid-Amateur:
Failed to Advance to Match Play
Chris Thayer, Golden 73-74–147
Michael Harrington, Colorado Springs 74-76–150
Matt Evelyn, Denver 75-79–154
Brian Dorfman, Denver 84-76–160
For complete results, CLICK HERE.
Of the four Colorado residents who started the event, one — Chris Thayer of Golden — has a chance to advance. The two-time CGA Mid-Amateur champion finished tied for 53rd in the stroke-play portion of the championship. But considering that 16 players share that spot, and that only 64 golfers will make match play, a 16-for-12 playoff will determine who will make the bracket.
Thayer shot a 3-over-par 74 Sunday at Charlotte Country Club to post a 36-hole total of 5-over 147. Thayer made four birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs (150 total), Matt Evelyn of Denver (154) and Brian Dorfman of Denver (160) saw their national championship end after two rounds of stroke play.
Stephen Behr of Florence, S.C., earned stroke-play medalist honors in the 264-man event, at 5-under 137.
After Monday’s playoff, the first round of match play will be conducted.
The Mid-Amateur is limited to players 25 and older.
Here are the round-by-round scores for the Coloradans competing at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur:
53. Chris Thayer, Golden 73
Failed to Advance to Match Play
MC. Michael Harrington, Colorado Springs 74-76–150
MC. Matt Evelyn, Denver 75-79–154
MC. Brian Dorfman, Denver 84-76–160
For complete results, CLICK HERE.
But for the 2018 national championship for male golfers 25 and older, four golfers from the Centennial State are figuratively holding the Colorado flag.
After Saturday’s opening round of the U.S. Mid-Am at Charlotte Country Club and Carolina Golf Club in North Carolina, two Coloradans are in position to make match play, while one other player is in the mix.
The top 64 golfers — out of 264 — after 36 holes of stroke play will earn spots in match play, which begins on Monday.
Chris Thayer (left) of Golden, a two-time CGA Mid-Amateur champion, led the way for the Colorado contingent by shooting a 2-over-par 73 at Carolina Golf Club, which left him in a share of 46th place. Thayer — who made four birdies, a bogey, a double bogey and a triple bogey — trails stroke-play co-leaders Stewart Hagestad of Newport Beach, Calif., and Bradford Tilley of Easton, Conn., by six.
Also in the top 64 after day 1 is 2014 CGA Player of the Year Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs, who posted a 74 and shares 63rd place. Harrington carded an eagle, two birdies, four bogeys and a triple bogey at Carolina Golf Club on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Matt Evelyn of Denver opened with a 75 and Brian Dorfman of Denver with an 84, both also at Carolina Golf Club.
Stroke play concludes on Sunday.
U.S. MID-AMATEUR
At Charlotte CC and Carolina Golf Club
46. Chris Thayer, Golden 73
63. Michael Harrington, Colorado Springs 74
91. Matt Evelyn, Denver 75
253. Brian Dorfman, Denver 84
For complete results, CLICK HERE.