Former Sunnehanna Amateur champ Collin Morikawa’s U.S. Open dreams still alive

Ten years ago, Collin Morikawa won the Sunnehanna Amateur.

On Friday, he was finishing the second round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.

Morikawa, a PGA champion and British Open winner, shot a 4-over 74 and made the cut to play Saturday and Sunday as he will search for his first U.S. Open title. His two-day total was a 4-over 144.

So, what was his game plan?

“I’ve played enough majors now where I know what my game plan is and how I must attack this golf course,” Morikawa said. “Yes, there’s going to be some holes that I will take par. There’s a handful of holes this week already I would take par four days in a row. But there’s other holes where you’ve got to take advantage.”

Some 50 miles to the east, the third round of the 84th annual Sunnehanna Amateur at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown was being played. Sunnehanna is one of the top amateur tournaments in the country.

Tyler Watts led after the third round at 13-under, one shot ahead of Ryan Voois. Two players — Gabirel Palacios and Cole Rueck — were tied for third at 11-under.

Who from the field will be in Oakmont in 2033? There is a huge list of alumni who have won and played professionally, from Masters winner Scottie Scheffler, two-time British Open winner Jordan Spieth and PGA champion Jason Day to two-time U.S. Open winner Tiger Woods, the late Arnold Palmer, U.S. Open winner Jack Nicklaus, six-time major champion Phil Mickelson and Justin Leonard.

Local players Rocco Salvitti, Nick Turowski, J.F. Aber, Nathan Piatt and Davis Fuhrer II are in this year’s field.

Aber II shot a 6-under par 64 during the third round and is tied for 44th at 2-under. Salvitti is 1-over and did not make the cut along with Fuhrer II, Turowski and Piatt will miss the cut. Piatt shot a 68 during the third round.

West Penn Open set

The 122nd West Penn Golf Association Open begins Monday at Sewickley Heights Country Club with a field of 60.

Included in the field are former champions Gregor Meyer, Devin Gee, Beau Titsworth, Mike Van Sickle, Rob McClellan, Kevin Sheilds, John Aber and 2024 champion Alec Stopperich.

Three local players who played in the Sunnehanna Amateur — J.F. Aber, Piatt and Turowski — are in the field along with mini-tour player Dan Obremski and two-time Pittsburgh Open champion Darin Kowalski.

The 54-hole event ends Wednesday.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at [email protected].