ERIN - Kyle Bruce, a 2012 graduate of Monroe High School, is in a five-way tie for 50th place in the Wisconsin State Amateur Championship after the third round Wednesday.
Bruce, who will be a senior on the Edgewood College golf team, shot a 7-over-par 79 Wednesday at Erin Hills, the site of the 2017 U.S. Open. Bruce is sitting at 236 and 20-over for the tournament and is tied with Waukesha's Michael Cabush, West Bend's Jeff Anderson, Junction City's Ryan Hofmeister and Cato's Jimmy Albright.
All Zach Gaugert needed was an even-par third round to grab a two-shot lead in the tournament. Now, Gaugert heads into the final round at 4-over par, two strokes ahead of Patrick Sanchez, Charles Maleki and Jake Wisniewski. Gaugert, who plays out of Meadows of Sixmile Creek in Waunakee, started strong and finished strong on a tough Erin Hills course with birdies on the opening hole and the par-5 18th hole. In between, he had 14 pars and two bogeys.
Gaugert, a member of the Marquette University golf team, said he just wanted to play his game.
"I didn't know where I stood at all throughout the day," he said. "I just wanted to go do my thing, keep hitting fairways and greens, which I did."
He believes his experience with the golf course is a significant advantage this week. Gaugert works as a caddie at Erin Hills and has played for Marquette in the Erin Hills Intercollegiate the past two years.
"A lot of guys come out and they think wow, U.S. Open golf course, this place must be really hard," he said. "For me, it's just another day. Knowing the greens a little better, knowing the spots to miss and not to miss, has definitely helped me up to this point."
Gaugert will be paired with Marquette teammate Patrick Sanchez for the final round.
"That's going to be an experience. That's going to be a ton of fun," Gaugert said. "I think we'll both feed off each other tomorrow. I don't see it getting competitive. Me and Pat are two best friends, and I think we are going to have a ton of fun."
Gaugert hopes to build on his recent success. Last week, he qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship, taking medalist honors at Mascoutin Golf Club.
"For the first time in my life, I want the lead going into the final round. I've always wanted to be the guy one or two back. I think that confidence comes from U.S. Amateur qualifying."
Bruce, who will be a senior on the Edgewood College golf team, shot a 7-over-par 79 Wednesday at Erin Hills, the site of the 2017 U.S. Open. Bruce is sitting at 236 and 20-over for the tournament and is tied with Waukesha's Michael Cabush, West Bend's Jeff Anderson, Junction City's Ryan Hofmeister and Cato's Jimmy Albright.
All Zach Gaugert needed was an even-par third round to grab a two-shot lead in the tournament. Now, Gaugert heads into the final round at 4-over par, two strokes ahead of Patrick Sanchez, Charles Maleki and Jake Wisniewski. Gaugert, who plays out of Meadows of Sixmile Creek in Waunakee, started strong and finished strong on a tough Erin Hills course with birdies on the opening hole and the par-5 18th hole. In between, he had 14 pars and two bogeys.
Gaugert, a member of the Marquette University golf team, said he just wanted to play his game.
"I didn't know where I stood at all throughout the day," he said. "I just wanted to go do my thing, keep hitting fairways and greens, which I did."
He believes his experience with the golf course is a significant advantage this week. Gaugert works as a caddie at Erin Hills and has played for Marquette in the Erin Hills Intercollegiate the past two years.
"A lot of guys come out and they think wow, U.S. Open golf course, this place must be really hard," he said. "For me, it's just another day. Knowing the greens a little better, knowing the spots to miss and not to miss, has definitely helped me up to this point."
Gaugert will be paired with Marquette teammate Patrick Sanchez for the final round.
"That's going to be an experience. That's going to be a ton of fun," Gaugert said. "I think we'll both feed off each other tomorrow. I don't see it getting competitive. Me and Pat are two best friends, and I think we are going to have a ton of fun."
Gaugert hopes to build on his recent success. Last week, he qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship, taking medalist honors at Mascoutin Golf Club.
"For the first time in my life, I want the lead going into the final round. I've always wanted to be the guy one or two back. I think that confidence comes from U.S. Amateur qualifying."
