Jackson’s 22 year-old Wilson Furr may have agreed to take part in the race on Thursday afternoon on Oregon’s windswept Pacific coast. Continue reading. It’s hard to blame Furr. Furr shot 19-under par for the 69 holes, broke a course record, shot the second lowest round in tournament history, won the 36-hole qualifier gold medal of the U.S. Amateur by two shots, then defeated his opponent in match play. He lost his second match after shooting a four-under par score of 67. Harrison Ott from Vanderbilt, a close friend of Furr, played flawlessly Wednesday morning. He matched Furr’s 67 score and beat Furr on the first hole in a sudden-death playoff. Furr was on his way back to Jackson by Wednesday evening. Furr would have won the U.S. Open had he played the first four rounds. Furr would have won Amateur if it had been a four-round medal play event – similar to most PGA Tour tournaments. He would have won by many shots. It’s not true and it might seem unfair. But, Nicklaus stated, golf has never been fair. This is the beauty of match play. In one match, the best golfer can meet a hot golfer. Match play format is where the luck of the draw can be very real. Ott, who played brilliantly against Furr in match play format, was four-over par on the first five holes of a later match Wednesday. Furr called to say that it was difficult before he boarded his flight. “I played solid golf throughout the week, and today may have been my best round of golf. I felt good. I felt in control. Furr was reminded by the reporter that he had won a gold medal at U.S. Amateur for 36 holes of stroke play. He had shot 62 in his second round to surpass the Bandon Trails course record by two shots. He had played the most memorable round of golf on the biggest stage in his life. Furr replied, “Yes sir, but it is just kinda hard to look at this that way right now.” It’s just difficult.” Golf can be so unpredictable. Furr took a two-up lead with Ott after he was down early in the match. Ott birdied the 18th hole to force the playoff, much to Furr’s credit. Both drivers dominated the par-four playoff hole, with both snatching drives in the middle. Furr, who is one of the most experienced drivers, drove eight yards faster than Ott, another long-hitter. Ott’s 143-yard approach was about 30 feet from hole. Furr was 135 yards from the pin, against a slight breeze. He also had to go up a steep hill which made it a blind shot. He said, “Perfect pitching wedge” Furr said that Furr had hit the wedge shot “right at” it. “I thought I would have a two- to three-footer for birdie to win this match. It was a good shot. Furr’s shot missed the green and he spun back, rolling down steep hills until he was at 65 yards. Furr actually had to face a third shot that was more difficult than his first. He missed a 30-foot putt on his third shot. Ott putted for par and won. Furr stated that Harrison told him that he believed my second shot was also perfect. It’s hard to explain. “I don’t know how to explain it.” G-o, if you are looking for the best explanation. Stuff happens. It’s not always fair. Raymond Floyd said it once, “They call golf because all of the other four-letter word were taken.” Furr, 22, is very familiar with the highs and lows. He won the Future Masters as a youngster. He won the Mississippi State Amateur championship at 16 by eight shots. He shot 16-under par 72 holes. At 18, he was a freshman at Alabama and began hitting the ball so far off the line that he couldn’t make it on the traveling team. He said, “I was just terrible.” Furr has been working harder in recent months to improve his game, particularly his wedge game and his putting. Furr’s hard work over the past four days has been evident – even if he isn’t quite getting his reward yet. Furr stated that he feels like he has put together some pieces. “I’ve definitely made progress. “I feel like these past four days will take me somewhere.”