University of Memphis Athletics
Former Tiger Brad Benjamin Makes Cut at US Open
Jun 18, 2011 | Men's Golf
June 18, 2011
Click here to follow Benjamin at the U.S. Open
BETHESDA, Md. - Former Tiger Brad Benjamin was three-over-par, just off the cutline, and only one hole away from making the cut at the U.S. Open Friday afternoon when the horn blew to suspend play due to darkness.
That didn’t faze Benjamin, however, who awoke at the crack of dawn Saturday and calmly made par on Congressional’s famously difficult 18th hole to card a second-round 73 and earn a spot in the weekend field at the 111th United States Open.
Benjamin, who was a participant in the 2010 Master’s Tournament, shot 67-69=136 at the U.S. Open sectional qualifier at St. Charles (IL) Country Club, and then survived a 3-for-2 playoff to secure a tee time at Congressional.
Benjamin defeated Nick Taylor of Canada to win the 2009 USGA Public Links Championship and earned an exemption into the 2010 Master’s Tournament. He took down Taylor 7&6 in the 36-hole match play final at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club.
Benjamin was a four-year letterman at the University of Memphis, competing in 33 total events and holding a scoring average of 74.6 strokes per round. He recorded eight career top-20 finishes and earned medalist honors at the 2007 Palisades Classic where he fired rounds of 70-69-68. He was also named to the 2006 C-USA All-Tournament team.
In addition to his play on the course, Benjamin was also a standout in the classroom. A native of Rockford, Ill., he graduated from the University of Memphis in May 2009, with a degree in Business Finance. He maintained a GPA of 3.9 throughout his undergraduate coursework, all the while being a key contributor to the Tiger golf team.
