United STATES-BASED Zimbabwean amateur golfer Sean Crocker edged closer to breaking the University of Southern California golf team’s record for the highest number of rounds below 60 after another dominant display for his college team last week. BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
The 18-year-old teenage sensation finished fourth at The Prestige tournament played out at the PGA West Stadium Course in La Quinta, California, on 10-under par 206 after carding solid rounds of 69, 69 and 68.
His final round was his fourth straight in the 60s this year and his 12th in total since joining the University of Southern California on a golf scholarship last year.
American professional golfer Jamie Lovemark, who played 20 tournaments on the US PGA Tour last year, earning a total of $305 944 in the process, is currently USC’s record holder with 20 rounds in 60s during his college golf career between 2006 and 2008.
In an interview with NewsDay Sport from his base in the US, Crocker’s father Gary, who played golf as a junior before later becoming an international cricket player, said Sean had a very good chance of beating Lovemark’s record.
“Sean finished fourth in the Prestige at PGA West. He shot four-under 68 in his final round to finish 10 under par. He played solidly all week and it was a pleasure to watch . . . As of now, he has 12 rounds in the 60s. The record in USC history is 20. It’s early days in this semester, but he has a real chance of breaking that all time record set by Jamie Lovemark,” he said.
Although he is only in his second season with the USC golf team, young Crocker has already established himself as one of their top players with consistent performances for the Trojans.
After starting the year on a high by bagging the San Diego Amateur title last month Crocker said he was targeting a strong season for the USC team this year.
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“I have come close so far in college, but haven’t pulled through yet. So winning my first amateur event under USC is great,” Crocker told NewsDay Sport.
“As for my plans for the year, I hope to play at USC for the spring season and hopefully pick up a few wins there. I also want to try and help the team go to NCAA and compete there for the first time,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s leading amateur Scott Vincent was expected to get is season underway with the Virginia Tech University golf team at the Puerto Rico Classic late last night.
Vincent, who had a brilliant season last year, was expected to lead the Virginia Tech team after a commendable performance at the same tournament last year where he tied for 16th position.
