Former Open & Am Champion Max Greyserman Making U.S. Open Debut
Max Greyserman of Crestmont, a recent Duke University graduate from Short Hills and winner of the 2014 State Open and 2015 State Amateur, is representing New Jersey at the 117th U.S. Open this weekend.
The U.S. Open Championship is being played at Erin Hills, the first time in Wisconsin in the event's history. Greyserman has am 8:46 morning tee time in the first round on Thursday, June 15, playing with Tyson Alexander of Florida, and amateur Chris Crawford of Bethlehem, Pa.
Ironically, Crawford, a Drexel University golfer, qualified for the second year in a row at Canoe Brook in Summit. The last previous New Jersey golfer to play in the U.S. Open was Pat Wilson of Hamilton Farm in 2015.
In Greyserman’s first practice round at the U.S. Open on Monday, June 12, he played with Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, who won the U.S. Open in 2011. Two days later, he joined Brooke Koepka.
“This is a great way to see where my game is,” Greyserman said from Erin Hills. “Now, I’ve played with Rory and Brooks and they are Top 20 in the world. They hit it far and straight and I’m not that far off from them.”
Greyserman, who saw limited action in his final collegiate campaign by his own choosing, earned his way into the U.S. Open at the Tacoma, Wash., sectional qualifier, finishing tied for second. Despite a first-round 72 that included a double bogey and a bogey, he was bogey-free in the afternoon for a 68-140 to garner one of four qualifying spots in Tacoma Country Club in Lakewood, Wash.
“I was struggling with my ball striking in my first event in Canada, but recently, I’ve been a little more consistent from the tee. I made a small change to my set-up to have my ball go from left to right, giving me a small fade. I feel more comfortable hitting that shape shot,” he said.
“I have no expectations at Erin Hills. The only one would be to make the cut. I’m just having a good time. Father’s Day weekend is special with my father (Alex) here. If I can control my nerves, I think I can do well,” Greyserman added.
This spring Greyserman gained partial status on the PGA Tour Canada Mackenzie Tour when he finished No. 14 at Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community in Comox, British Columbia at the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada’s Canada Q-School. Greyserman shot rounds of 68-70-70—73-281 at Crown Isle. He turned pro when played his first Mackenzie Tour event at Victoria, B.C., the weekend of June 4.
Greyserman, 22, won the 2015 NJSGA Amateur Championship and the 2014 NJSGA Open. He works with swing coach Jeff Smith, who also coaches 2016 The Five member Aaron Wise.
When Greyserman, a graduate of Peddie School, won the 2015 NJSGA Amateur he shot a record 64 over the final 18 holes. That round included an amazing nine birdies against three bogeys. His was the first 64 ever recorded in State Amateur competition (since record-keeping began in 1971). The six-under 64 was third at that number in the event, and the only one posted in the final round.
Greyserman became the first to hold both the Open and Amateur titles at the same time since Billy Ziobro of Ash Brook in 1970, who did it within one month of each event.
The 64 was also an amateur course record at Morris County Golf Club. Greyserman's round included three putts of 25 feet or more, including a 40-footer on the par-4 fifth hole.
In 2014, he had to overcome a two-shot deficit with nine holes to go to defeat defending champion Frank Esposito Jr. of Brooklake to win the State Open.
