How and why?! Top amateur suffers awful luck as short putt defies gravity at US Open
By Matt Chivers
Short putts should be the easiest part of the game. Just hit the back of the cup and gravity will do the work.
Top amateur golfer Gordon Sargent did exactly that on his very last hole of the 2023 US Open as his ball headed for home. Just go home ball.
Instead, his golf ball defied all logic and possibility. It hit the back of the rim of the hole and stayed out – much to the amazement of Sargent himself and countless golf fans on social media.
Golf is the most infuriating sport to have graced this earth. pic.twitter.com/FHAiSqwchi
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) June 18, 2023
According to ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti, a USGA spokesperson reported one person in the group before Sargent had accidentally damaged that side of the cup with the flagstick.
Shane Bacon also reported on Twitter that the USGA went to examine the hole on the 18th at Los Angeles Country Club to ensure the freak occurrence couldn’t repeat itself.
It led to a bogey for the 2022 NCAA Division I champion who came through Final Qualifying at Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Georgia with superb rounds of 64 and 67.
A par on the last hole would’ve made such an impressive performance on his US Open debut all the sweeter.
By finishing on 4-over-par after 72 holes at LACC, Sargent is set to earn the medal for being the low amateur of the week, leaving Ben Carr, Maxwell Moldovan, and Aldrich Potgeiter in his wake.
What did you make of what happened to Gordon Sargent and that missed putt? Let us know with a tweet.
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
