Canberra golfer Josh Armstrong will use his US amateur championship invitation as a stepping stone towards his professional goal as he prepares to take one the world's best.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Armstrong secured a spot in the world's premier amateur tournament, which will be played at the Capital City Club in Atlanta on August 12-18.
Armstrong qualified via an event in Georgia this week and will join fellow Golf NSW teammates Jordie Garner and Blake Windred at the 119th US amateur.
The 20-year-old has been making a steady rise through the ranks, playing at the junior Presidents Cup in 2017 and was the No. 1 ranked Australian junior in the same year.
"[The US amateur] is a perfect stepping stone for what I want to do," Armstrong said.
Armstrong got off to a slow start at the qualifying event, starting with a round of 69 on day one. He shot 65 on day two, firing five birdies in the first eight holes and finishing with 10 consecutive pars.
"I got off to a hot start, which put me in a good position," Armstrong said.
"I didn't hole much yesterday, so I said to myself be patient and not force it."
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
Armstrong started his overseas tour in Scotland and will continue his trip with a tournament at the Pacific Coast amateur at the University of Mexico next week.
He will then play in Michigan and Canada for a hectic three-week schedule before playing at Pinehurst for perhaps the biggest tournament of his young career.
"Mum and Dad are going to fly in, and my girlfriend Doey (Choi), is staying on after she finishes playing in the women's Amateur," Armstrong said.
Meanwhile, Matt Millar is back in Canberra after a successful stint in Queensland. He won a pro-am event at Rockhampton after shooting 20-under par at the four-day event.
Millar will play at the World Golf Championships in China at the end of October, but he may miss the Australian Open as he aims to secure a spot on the Japanese tour.