Matt Grush's 8-under-par 64 Saturday in the opening round of the California State Fair Amateur Men's Championship raised some eyebrows.
His 68 Sunday was more impressive, judging by the reaction of his competitors who know how difficult it is to follow a really low round with another low round.
Grush's two-round total of 12-under 132 at Haggin Oaks' MacKenzie course gave him a two-stroke lead over Joseph Bramlett (66).
Grush is a 21-year-old Los Angeles resident and UC Santa Barbara senior with academic All-American on his golf résumé but little in the way of significant victories.
"I'm scholarly and single, so if any girls out there are looking …" said the happy- go-lucky Grush, who vividly remembers that his State Fair application was rejected two years ago when his credentials didn't meet muster.
Bramlett is a 20-year-old Stanford junior who was the youngest to qualify for the U.S. Amateur at age 14 and has been a star in the making for years.
"I'm just thrilled to be competing again," said Bramlett, a Saratoga resident who didn't swing a golf club from January through July of this year after bruising his wrist in a team training exercise.
Cal's Stephen Hale (67) trails Grush by three shots and rounds out today's final threesome that will tee off at 9:36 a.m.
John Murphy (65) had Sunday's best round and is tied with Hale, his Cal teammate. Chris Johnson (67) is four shots behind. The 40-year-old Rancho Cordova resident is the local hope.
Johnson, who started playing in the State Fair in the mid-1980s, played once in the Masters division for players ages 35 to 54 but says he really doesn't mind being outdriven by 30 yards on most holes, as he is in the open division.
"I missed playing against the kids," he said. "I enjoy trying to elevate my game against these guys. As long as I think I can be competitive, I'd rather play here. My goal is just to make the cut, but if it gets windy tomorrow, who knows?"
Grush admits he'll be a little anxious today, with those big-name schools emblazoned on the bags of nearest competitors.
"I look at it as a challenge," he said. "But I hope to be talking to you again tomorrow."
Call The Bee's Steve Pajak, (916) 326-5526.
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