Amateur golfer makes early ‘shot of the week’ claim at US Open with stunning chip
Amateurs in US Opens are usually expected to take a back seat as the best players in the professional game compete for the trophy.
But, Michael Brennan thrilled the spectators at the 123rd US Open with a chip you will likely see replayed all week on your television screens.
On the third hole, the impressive amateur found himself in the gnarly rough right of the putting surface, faced with a tricky chip littered with contours and slopes.
Well, the Wake Forest All-American used these contours and slopes to craft an amazing chip that curled off the green behind the pin and rolled back into the hole.
Brennan qualified for his first US Open in 2023 by carding rounds of 74 and 65 at Woodmont Country Club – one of the many legs of Final Qualifying across America and Canada.
Have we just seen the shot of the week already?! 😲 👏 pic.twitter.com/abbFa670CG
— National Club Golfer (@NCG_com) June 15, 2023
But this shot was typical of Brennan’s memorable week which got underway on Tuesday.
He played a practice round with Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler – and it is Fowler who he shares a special relationship with.
In 2012, a young Brennan went to a Halloween party dressed as Fowler, a player he has always idolised throughout his career.
He was dressed in Fowler’s Oklahoma state all-orange look. He even wore a long-haired wig to complete Fowler’s full appearance from that period.
A major debut Michael Brennan will never forget.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 15, 2023
11 years after dressing up as @RickieFowler for Halloween, he teed it up with him for a U.S. Open practice round … and even beat @JustinThomas34 and @JordanSpieth in a match 😏 https://t.co/Cu93wTIRdK pic.twitter.com/mELSmjxm8Y
A photograph of Brennan reached the five-time PGA Tour winner and he signed it with what have proven to be some fateful words:
“To Mike – Look forward to playing a practice round with you at the 2025 US Open! Keep up the good work!”
He may have been two years out, but Brennan won’t have any complaints with such a special week arriving earlier than expected.
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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.
