IU golfer plays in US Open

Amidst men in their mid-to-late 30s, a 19-year-old attempted to make the cut for the 2009 U.S. Open during the third week of June.

IU sophomore David Erdy spent time mingling with the likes of Tiger Woods and others at Bethpage Black, after being called up to play because of another golfer’s injury. Shingo Katayama withdrew from the event, allowing Erdy to move from the first alternate spot to the playing field.  

Erdy said when he received the phone call to come up, he felt extreme excitement, and it was “one of the happiest moments of (his) life.”  

But getting the call to play is only the beginning. A player still has to play to make the cut. Combine one of the most demanding courses in the nation with only 60 spots, and making the cut can be very difficult.  

After playing the first two rounds, Erdy did not make it, shooting a 78 and a 74 respectively, and finishing the tournament tied with Padraig Harrington for the 137th position, according to espn.com.  

Even though Erdy did not make the cut, he said he didn’t feel bad about himself when he left and that the course was tough. Erdy said he could have played better but he got caught up in the moment.  

Erdy did have one memorable moment of the tournament that stuck out in particular.

During his final round, he sunk a 35-footer on the 17th hole.

“The crowd went wild,” he said.

Erdy said being around all the other professional golfers helped the situation feel genuine. Erdy also met Tiger Woods while at the U.S. Open. Erdy said Tiger was friendly, and was “really as nice as he can be.”  

Erdy said his experiences at the U.S. Open will help him in all areas for the rest of his life, not just with golf or athletics.