Was No. 2 seed at Bandon Dunes in the U.S. Amateur
Michigan State golfer and Canton resident James Piot has had a very productive summer. And while competitive golf is not over in 2020, he has had an incredible and successful run during this Covid-condensed season.
The senior–to–be Spartan – who should have at least two years of eligibility remaining due to new NCAA rules – recorded the second lowest score in stroke play at the U.S. Amateur in mid-August, shooting a sizzling 69-65-134 at Bandon Dunes in Oregon. His 65 was the lowest round of the day; a 7-under par performance that included eagles on the 9th and 13th holes, plus back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18.
“At the beginning of the week I was sending off texts to all my buddies at home, saying, ‘You know what, the cut is going to be 6, 7 over’ (par),” Piot told USGA media officials. “With this wind and how it was looking during practice rounds, (I told myself) I’m going to try to score the best I can this week, and I got a fortunate draw with the weather situation.
“It’s one of the top-five toughest courses I’ve ever played,” Piot added. “After the 2-under par in the first round, the goal was to be at even-par in round two because I knew the course was going to play a lot tougher. Then I struck it really well and gave myself a chance and wound up being just two shots off the lead.”
In his first-ever U.S. Amateur, Piot won his first match play round but was bumped out in round two.
Piot won his first two college tournaments last fall and was voted second team All-Big Ten.
In late June Piot was co-medalist in stroke play for the Michigan Amateur – then finished runner up in 6-rounds of match play, going up against Ann Arbor’s Tyler Copp. Piot then ventured to the prestigious Western Amateur and missed the 16-player match play qualifying cut by just one stroke.
“This summer has made me feel like every week I can compete and win,” Piot said. “Winning two college tournaments last year gave me a boost, as well. After this summer, I feel like I’m starting to go to the next level.”
Jeff Barnes of MSU contributed to this report.
