Northwestern University Athletics
Eric Chun's British Open Adventure Begins
7/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
July 12, 2010
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- Northwestern rising junior Eric Chun (Ansung City, South Korea/International Christian School) has arrived at the Old Course at St. Andrews to begin preparations for the 150th British Open Championship.
Chun earned his spot as one of seven amateurs in the field by first finishing as runner-up in the inaugural Asian Amateur Championship in November, which earned him a spot in International Final Qualifying -- Asia. At IFQ -- Asia, Chun sank a six-foot birdie putt on the final hole to give him the fourth and final spot available at St. Andrews.
Chun is at The Open with his caddy, Northwestern Associate Head Coach Steve Bailey. Northwestern head coach Pat Goss also is in town to mentor Chun and former Wildcat standout Luke Donald, to whom Goss still serves as swing coach.
"I haven't played at St. Andrews before or been anywhere near there. So I'm looking forward to it," said Chun prior to his practice round. "I've only seen it on television and heard about it so to play there is amazing."
On his first day of practice, Chun played with Australasian Tour veteran Peter Senior and Lee Westwood, who is a 20-time winner on the European Tour and captured the PGA TOUR St. Jude Classic last month. For images from that round and other shots of Chun's early experiences at the Open, check out this Photo Gallery.
Another highlight for Chun Monday was playing the 18th hole at St. Andrews with Tiger Woods in front of a large gallery. Chun birdied the hole while Woods made par.
Chun and Bailey are keeping a blog for Golfweek; read it here. Chun is scheduled to tee off at 8:42 a.m. CT Thursday, July 15, in the first round of The Open. He is paired with Zach Johnson and Martin Kaymer.
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