Nick Taylor Advances to US Open

VANCOUVER, B.C. June 3, 2008 — Abbotsford’s Nick Taylor has had a stellar month leading up to the U.S. Open sectional qualifying tournament Monday at Emerald Valley Golf Club.

Taylor, defending Canadian Amateur Champion, is a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Washington – and his career looks very, very bright.

After scoring two solid rounds Monday, he took medalist honours with a 36-hole total of 6-under 138and secured a trip to the U.S. Open next week at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.

On Saturday, Taylor was celebrating his second-place tie at the NCAA Championships in West Layafette, Ind., a finish that helped Washington, seeded 22nd, place seventh.

Taylor had just two bogeys in his two rounds, scoring three birdies in his first seven holes and finishing the first round with a 2-under 70, one shot back of second place finisher, Rob Rashell.

He added five birdies (and one bogey) in the second round, capping his day with a birdie-4 on No. 18.

The event at Emerald Valley was one of 13 sectional qualifiers held throughout the country Monday (plus one each in England and Japan). The United States Golf Association accepted 8,390 entries for local qualifying tournaments, which then was dwindled down to the sectionals — all vying for 83 spots to the U.S. Open.