Brandon Holtz said he was planning to take an ice bath Wednesday evening.
After two rounds of brain games and five games of match in the bright heat of the Arizona desert, Holtz’s 38-year-old legs were feeling it. And he still had one more hill to climb: the 36 -holes in the 44th SH.BA.
“I wish the boys would simply give us some cursed carriages,” Holtz withdrew from the tournament of the tournament.
Of course, there would be no Ez-Gos. On Thursday morning, Holtz, who moons like a realtor in Indiana, placed one foot in front of the other in the Troon Country Club and set the biggest appearance of his life. If he could overthrow 28-year-old Jeg Coughlin III of Dublin, Ohio, Holtz would claim not only his first USGA title in his first attempt, but also on Thursday and Friday Times in US Open 2026 Shinnecock hills And, more than likely, masters. (Augusta National has lasted an invitation to the middle winner of Amateur every year since 1989.)
Brandon shotgun to Troon CC, in the form of his veil, was Brandon’s father, Jeff. “He’s a golf player,” Brandon said. “He’s a player. Here I get all my fire.”
Jeff also gave his son something else: masters. That returned in 2010, year Phil Mickelson won his third green jacket. Jeff hit the ticket lottery that year and took his son for travel. “We know how special it is,” Brandon said about opening roads in Augusta National. Brandon knows very well to enter the US Open is also nothing to smell. He said he has progressed in the sectional section qualification seven times, but never punched his ticket to The Big Dance. On Thursday morning Phoenix with local time, only one last match was between him and a June date in Shinnecock.
In the middle of this year’s mother, he raised some eyebrows for the number of exes that advanced deep into the game; Of the eight quarter -finalists, only two had never played professionally. Holtz’s ranks in the Pro included a half-dozen years in the mini-Turne before recovering his amateur status in 2024. “I liked to play money,” Holtz said. “(But) reached the point that I was just no longer playing events, so I decided to restore my amateur status.”
Smart movement.
Holtz went out, making two eagles accepted in the PAR-4S (aided by shock shots from the counx) in the first six holes to grab a 2-up superiority. Through 18, he had extended his advantage to 3 up. With a break between the 18th, Coughlin used the time not only to hit the balls in the range, but also to clear his mind meditating with his girlfriend at the club.
The second loop was a rotary. Holtz won the 19th and 20th holes to cross 5, but Coughlin collapsed again, cutting his deficit in only one 1 down to 28. In the 34th Tee, with a 2-up advantage, Holtz landed a championship winning haymaker, hardening his shooting at 7 meters.
After his 3-and-2 victory, Holtz was asked to look forward to the main exceptions he will enjoy next year. Anydo player, in particular, would he like to play a practice with him?
“There’s a list of sure,” he said. “Anyone who likes to have fun and talk a little trash. That’s who I would like to play.”
