Player DQ'd after purposely running up score in U.S. Am qualifier

July 17, 2019 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Trey Bilardello posted a score in the triple digits at a U.S. Amateur qualifier, and was later disqualified.

Truly, Trey Bilardello had to work at it to shoot a U.S. Amateur qualifying score in the triple digits. There’s nothing beside Bilardello’s name but a “DQ” on the scoring page for the Mayacoo Lakes qualifier in West Palm Beach, Fla., but that’s only because Bilardello was disqualified by the Florida State Golf Association by purposely shooting a score that exceeded 200.

According to a report by GolfChannel.com, Bilardello, a professional caddie who has worked for such recognizable names as Jim Herman and Moriya Jutanugarn, parred the opening two holes in the qualifier, made triple bogey at the next and then took his score purposely off the rails from there. On 10 holes, he made a score in the double digits.

Kristian Fortis, the player paired with Bilardello, told Golf Channel that Bilardello spent much of the day purposely running up his score after telling Fortis that he wanted to shoot the highest recorded score in USGA history.

Fortis managed a 76 despite the distraction, but did not qualify for the U.S. Amateur.

In a statement to Golf Digest, the USGA said that Bilardello was disqualified after the completion of play.

"The Florida State Golf Association, after consulting with the United States Golf Association, has disqualified Trey Bilardello under Rule 1.2 for serious misconduct and failing to play in the spirit of the game," Beth Major, USGA senior director of championship communications, told Golf Digest.

"His disqualification was deemed appropriate as a result of the individual’s failure to show consideration for other players—deliberately playing away from the hole to run up his score," Major said.

Results: U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying

Place	Player	Location	Pts
Medalist	Travis McInroe	Plano, TX	200
Medalist	Hayden Springer	Trophy Club, TX	200
Medalist	James Song	Rancho Santa Fe, CA	200
Medalist	Joey Zambri	Camarillo, CA	200
Medalist	Lincoln Melcher	Burbank, CA	200

View full results for U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying

About the U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying

Player DQ'd after purposely running up score in U.S. Am qualifier

18-hole qualifying at various courses across the United States, from which successful qualifiers advance to the U.S. Amateur. Players include those who have advanced through Local Qualifying and others who gain exemptions into Final Qualifying.