Drexel University Athletics
Mitchell and Crawford One Step Closer to U.S. Open Berth
5/17/2023 1:10:00 PM | Men's Golf
PHILADELPHIA - Current Drexel golfer Griffin Mitchell and graduate Chris Crawford are each just one day away from qualifying for the 2023 U.S. Open. Mitchell and Crawford were two of the six players who made it through sectionals on May 11 at Rolling Green Golf Club. Mitchell was the co-medalist on the day with a three-under par 67. Crawford tied for fourth overall at one-under par.
Mitchell, who has been playing his best golf as of late, was one of just two amateurs to qualify at Rolling Green. He was at even par after 14 holes with three birdies, but three bogeys. On the 384-yard, par four 15th hole, the New Albany, Ohio native picked up a needed birdie. The 16th hole was something Mitchell will never forget. With his pitching wedge on the par-3 16th, Mitchell calmly recorded a hole-in-one on the 152-yard hole. That propelled him to three-under par, where he finished the day in a tie with Patrick Cover, a professional who played at UNCW. Mitchell was named a Second Team All-Colonial Athletic Association performer this past season.
Crawford, who is no stranger to the grind of qualifying for a U.S. Open berth, had to scramble to earn his way to final qualifying. After a bogey on the 15th hole and a par on the 16th, Crawford sat at two-over par and looked to be out of the hunt for the final spot. Crawford, who made a 40-foot putt back in 2016 to qualify for the U.S. Open, once again had a flair for the dramatic. He eagled the par-five 17th hole and then birdied 18 to secure the final spot. The Bensalem native and 2017 graduate will be looking to make the U.S. Open field for the fourth time. Crawford played in 2016 at Oakmont, 2017 at Erin Hills and 2021 at Torrey Pines.
Mitchell and Crawford will both play in a final qualifier on June 5. Mitchell will play in Ohio, while Crawford will most likely play in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Mitchell, who has been playing his best golf as of late, was one of just two amateurs to qualify at Rolling Green. He was at even par after 14 holes with three birdies, but three bogeys. On the 384-yard, par four 15th hole, the New Albany, Ohio native picked up a needed birdie. The 16th hole was something Mitchell will never forget. With his pitching wedge on the par-3 16th, Mitchell calmly recorded a hole-in-one on the 152-yard hole. That propelled him to three-under par, where he finished the day in a tie with Patrick Cover, a professional who played at UNCW. Mitchell was named a Second Team All-Colonial Athletic Association performer this past season.
Crawford, who is no stranger to the grind of qualifying for a U.S. Open berth, had to scramble to earn his way to final qualifying. After a bogey on the 15th hole and a par on the 16th, Crawford sat at two-over par and looked to be out of the hunt for the final spot. Crawford, who made a 40-foot putt back in 2016 to qualify for the U.S. Open, once again had a flair for the dramatic. He eagled the par-five 17th hole and then birdied 18 to secure the final spot. The Bensalem native and 2017 graduate will be looking to make the U.S. Open field for the fourth time. Crawford played in 2016 at Oakmont, 2017 at Erin Hills and 2021 at Torrey Pines.
Mitchell and Crawford will both play in a final qualifier on June 5. Mitchell will play in Ohio, while Crawford will most likely play in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
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