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CHASKA, Minn. — He is shopping for gloves and balls from the professional store. His wedges do not match. He works in oil and pure fuel full-time.
He is additionally the primary Mid-Newbie to win medalist honors in 11 years on the 2024 U.S. Newbie.
Meet Jimmy Ellis, the 39-year-old from Florida who punched his ticket into the U.S. Newbie at Hazeltine Nationwide Golf Membership through his victory earlier this summer time on the Florida Newbie. That week, he shot 8-under 64 within the last spherical to win, which was the bottom spherical of his life.
On Tuesday at Chaska City Course, the stroke play co-host, he shot 9-under 61 and left an eagle putt on the final gap a pair rotations wanting a championship-tying 60.
“It is simply blind squirrel, truthfully,” Ellis stated. “I actually made every part right this moment. I wager if we play this match 100 occasions, there’s zero % likelihood I might be the medalist.”
Ellis had 10 birdies and one bogey Tuesday, ending stroke play at 10 below, one shot forward of Ethan Evans. Ellis will earn the highest seed for match play, which begins Wednesday morning.
Ellis discovered his contact on the greens Tuesday, making every part he checked out. He stated 10 footers felt simple in his second spherical, whereas 3 footers on Monday have been nerve wracking.
He performs out of Atlantic Seaside Nation Membership, usually taking part in with 15-year-old Miles Russell, a younger phenom who missed the match play lower.
U.S. Newbie: Photos from Hazeltine National
In the meantime, Ellis’ title is on the prime of the leaderboard, a flabbergasting scene for somebody who simply wished to sneak into match play and knock off a giant title.
“A few of the names are so humorous. I simply assumed it could be Gordon Sargent, like, the entire names you hear on TV,” Ellis stated. “It is humorous to see my title. I won’t even win my membership championship.”
Whereas on the vary throughout his championship preparations, Ellis seen his just lately re-shafted hole wedge was half an inch longer than his pitching wedge. So he took that out and inserted a 50-degree U-wedge he had within the bag, one thing he used usually again house close to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He has additionally purchased golf balls at each programs this week. His glove? It is from Hazeltine as a result of he wanted a brand new one.
“What else you alleged to do?” Ellis stated, joking how most gamers within the area get the necessities without cost.
Ellis performed collegiately, beginning at Florida Gulf Coast earlier than transferring to Ohio, the place he went and “had enjoyable.” His golf recreation did not progress to the following stage till COVID hit, and that is when the trophies began to pile up.
This week is Ellis’ second begin within the U.S. Newbie and second in three years, as he teed it up at Ridgewood Nation Membership in 2022.
But in a match the place the very best names in beginner golf are battling it out for the Havemeyer Trophy, nobody was higher than Ellis after two rounds of stroke play.
“That is the very best spherical I’ve ever performed, not even shut,” Ellis stated. “I’m sufficiently old to be most of their dads. And yeah, they’re hitting it most likely 40 yards previous me. However I’m simply going to play my recreation and see what occurs.”
This text initially appeared on Golfweek: Real life ‘Tin Cup’? 39-year-old Jimmy Ellis shoots 61, wins medalist honors at 2024 U.S. Amateur
