Scotland's Philip McLean takes early lead at Jones Cup
SEA ISLAND, Georgia (Feb. 5, 2010) -- The Jones Cup, the season's first "major" event in the
Golfweek/amateurgolf.com Men's World Rankings is now underway at Ocean Forest Golf Club in Georgia.
The 54-hole stroke play tournament, founded in 2001, was originally meant to be a one-time preview event held by the host club of the 2001 Walker Cup. Former USGA Senior Champion and Ocean Forest Club member Jim Stahl was one of the event's founders, and he continues to be active as the tournament has moved from a single, then biennial, and now an annual competition with some of the world's best amateurs in the field.
Philip McLean of Scotland shot 3-under on the challenging 7321 yard seaside course on Friday to take the first round lead. The Scottish Elite Team member is currently ranked No. 165 in the World Rankings.
Kennesaw State golfer Matt Nagy, who played in the US Open at Bethpage in 2009, and Romain Wattel of the French National Team are two strokes back at 1-under 71. The average score in the elite 84 player field was 78, as heavy winds and rainshowers on the Rees Jones layout gave the players all they could handle.
For complete first round results, click on the link below.
ABOUT THE Jones Cup
The Jones Cup is probably the biggest of the
springtime
amateur majors in the United States, and the reason
is the venue and the strong U.S. and
international field. The past champions list is littered
with PGA Tour stars, including Justin Thomas,
Patrick Reed, Luke List, Kyle Stanley, Beau Hossler
and
several others.
This 54-hole individual stroke-play event,
inaugurated
in 2001, is played at Ocean Forest Golf Club.
The Rees Jones design opened in 1995 and has
hosted
the Georgia State Amateur Championship, the
Southern Amateur Championship and the 2001
Walker
Cup Match. The Jones Cup brings together
many of the finest amateurs from the United States
and abroad for a three-day competition.
The Jones Cup was born from a deep commitment to
amateur golf by the A.W. Jones family, who
founded the Cloister and Sea Island Golf Club in
1928.
The Sea Island Golf Club has played host to
seven USGA championships. The Jones Cup is yet
another extension of the family's strong
involvement in amateur golf.
View Complete Tournament Information