Ryggs Johnston, a 14-year-old golfer from Libby, placed eighth at the U.S. Open Qualifier in Missoula on Tuesday.
Johnston shot 33-39—72 for an even par at the Missoula Country Club.
Canadian Mitchell Fox of Calgary won the tournament after shooting 34-33—67. Fox advanced to the regional tournament in Oregon along with runner-up Daniel Brunson of Wyoming (33-35—68) and third-place Travis Hofland of Twin Falls, Idaho (34-34—68).
Whitefish’s Brad Grattan shot 35-39—74 and placed 13th.
Missoula was one of 111 sites around the U.S. hosting local qualifying tournaments for next month’s U.S. Open. The top players at the local tournaments advance to regional events, hoping to earn spots in the 156-player field at this year’s national championship tournament, which is being held at Chambers Bay in Tacoma, Washington.
The eighth-place finish marked another impressive outing for young Johnston. The Libby teen is the reigning Montana junior golf champion for the 14-15 age division. Last year he also took second at the U.S. Teen World Championship tournament at Pinehurst in North Carolina. Earlier this year, he won the Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour 3 Day Elite Event in Goodyear, Arizona, defeating some of the top teenage golfers in the nation.
U.S. Open Qualifier
At Missoula Country Club, par 72
May 12
Mitchell Fox, Calgary, AB; 34-33–67
Daniel Brunson, Wilson, Wy.; 33-35–68
Travis Hofland, Twin Falls, Id.; 34-34–68
Eric Onesi, Bear, De.; 34-36–70
Brian Beach, Missoula; 35-36–71
Daniel Thompsett, Billings; 36-35–71
Preston Matchett, Billings; 35-37–72
Ryggs Johnston, Libby; 33-39–72
Glen Griffith, Oro Valley, Ariz.; 37-36–73
Justin Onken, Deer Lodge; 36-37–73
Tom Swanson, Missoula; 34-39–73
Bobby Myles, Coeur d’Alene, Id.; 36-38–74
Brad Grattan, Whitefish; 35-39–74
Aaron Crawford, Calgary, AB; 39-36–75
Brennan Stillinger, Dalton Gardens, Id.; 38-37–75
Brian Lytle, Bozeman; 36-39–75
Caleb Stetzner, Anaconda; 36-39–75
Eli Zackheim, Seattle; 38-37–75
Carter Lewis, Calgary, AB; 37-39–76
Christopher Jones, Missoula; 36-40–76
Jim Mee, Libby; 39-37–76
Tate Tatom, Gallatin Gateway; 36-40–76
Geoffrey Buchanan, Jefferson City; 38-39–77
Gordon Wright, Brewster, Wash.; 35-42–77
Jonathan Eastlick, Lolo; 36-41–77
Kyle Poore, Missoula; 39-38–77
Wyatt Nielson, Bozeman; 39-38–77
Dane Martinson, Billings; 41-37–78
Keithon Walter, Lewistown; 39-39–78
Darin Uselman, Billings; 40-39–79
Eli Bowen, Lewistown; 40-39–79
Jeffrey Nelson, Burien, Wash.; 37-42–79
Joey Moore, Billings; 42-38–80
Payton Stott, Billings; 43-37–80
Sean Gilligan, Sunburst; 40-40–80
Alex Jackson, Airdrie, AB; 40-41–81
Ben Gresley‐Jones, Castlegar, BC; 40-41–81
Jason Kimmell, Coeur d’Alene, Id.; 39-42–81
Josh Coletti, Nelson, BC; 40-41–81
Joshua Grenier, Coeur d’Alene, Id.; 39-42–81
Zach Johannsen, Oilmont; 40-41–81
Jim Coleman, Billings; 38-44–82
Timothy Garden, Lolo; 42-40–82
Ryan Flink, Missoula; 37-46–83
Ryan Keenan, Bigfork; 38-45–83
Scott Bridgman, Snohomish, Wash.; 40-43–83
Lawrence Lee, Spokane; 44-40–84
Luke Baker, Spokane; 42-42–84
Woody Spainhower, Bozeman; 41-43–84
Jared Saffran, Airdrie, AB; 39-46–85
Christopher Runyan, Post Falls, Id.; 42-45–87
Scores courtesy of the Missoulian