Texas Tech University Athletics
Scott Ready For U.S. Open Championship
September 15, 2020 | Men's Golf
LUBBOCK, Texas – A couple months ago Sandy Scott was in his front yard hitting golf balls back home in Scotland trying to stay sharp during the coronavirus pandemic. At 7:40 a.m. on Thursday, he'll be teeing off at the 120th U.S. Open Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club.
Scott is the first Texas Tech player to be on a current Red Raider roster to qualify for the U.S. Open and will compete in the event through his No. 6 World Amateur Golf Ranking. He'll begin the tournament paired with Kurt Kitayama and Robert MacIntrye and is just two groups behind Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods. Scott, who is one of 13 amateurs in the tournament, will tee off at 1 p.m. on Friday for his second round.
"I'm just trying to prepare as best as possible and be in contention going into Sunday," said Scott on Tuesday after a practice round. "I've watched these players for many years growing up and have learned a lot, but they are on the same stage and I'm looking to compete against them. I'm just seeing these guys as competitors that I'm trying to beat at the end of the day. I'm really comfortable and confident with my game."
Alongside Scott all week will be Texas Tech head coach Greg Sands who is entering his 20th season leading the Red Raiders and will serve as Scott's caddie at the championship. Sands is caddying a major championship for the first time but is excited about the opportunity to be on the bag and continue helping Scott. Â
"Sandy is his own swing coach and guy when it comes to figuring out things on the course," Sands said. "If I can add some input that is why I'm there. I think the one thing you have to be is committed in this game. If I can add some commitment and encouragement then that will help on a U.S. Open golf course. I'm here to help cheer him on out there."
Scott is one of 144 golfers, including 10 past champions and 12 runner-ups, competing in the 2020 U.S. Open Championship in Mamaroneck, New York. The course has hosted five U.S. Open Championships, first in 1929 and most recently in 2006 with Geoff Ogilvy winning the title. Woods called Winged Foot one of the hardest courses he's played in his news conference, a description highlighted by Ogilvy winning the championship at 5-over-par back in 2006. This week the par-70 course will play at 7,477 yards.
"It requires you to drive the ball straight and hit fairways," Scott said. "Certainly it tests your precision and approach. You're going to hit some shots into the rough and off the greens. You'll be tested with your touch and smart play. We'll take our medicine when it comes but I think it fits well."
A two-time All-American for the Red Raiders, Scott elected to return for his second senior season after the NCAA granted a waiver due to the pandemic. His 2019-20 season included his first collegiate victory at The Carmel Cup and him helping the Red Raiders reach the No. 1 national ranking for the first time in program history. He was named a PING and Golfweek All-American to go along with earning CoSIDA Academic All-America a couple months before he graduated with a political science degree.
Scott comes into the event after reaching the U.S. Amateur Championship Round of 32 for the second straight year and having competed last fall in the Walker Cup. Still, along with the rest of the world, he had to adjust his normal training through the pandemic.
"They got significantly stricter about a week after I got home," Scott said. "There was a lock-down period and golf courses were shut down for about 10 weeks. I couldn't to visit the course for that amount of time so I was just in the garden hitting balls and into a net. Just chipping in the garden. It was the start of June when they reopened so I was taking advantage of that for about a month before restrictions eased. I was able to play a competitive tournament back home and got to play in the U.S. Amateur."
TELEVISION COVERAGE: The U.S. Open will be broadcasted throughout starting with the Golf Channel from 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Thursday and NBC continuing coverage from 1-4 p.m. On Friday, the tournament will air from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. on the Golf Channel and then from 3-6 p.m. on NBC. Highlights and coverage will also be available at usopen.com.
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Scott is the first Texas Tech player to be on a current Red Raider roster to qualify for the U.S. Open and will compete in the event through his No. 6 World Amateur Golf Ranking. He'll begin the tournament paired with Kurt Kitayama and Robert MacIntrye and is just two groups behind Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods. Scott, who is one of 13 amateurs in the tournament, will tee off at 1 p.m. on Friday for his second round.
"I'm just trying to prepare as best as possible and be in contention going into Sunday," said Scott on Tuesday after a practice round. "I've watched these players for many years growing up and have learned a lot, but they are on the same stage and I'm looking to compete against them. I'm just seeing these guys as competitors that I'm trying to beat at the end of the day. I'm really comfortable and confident with my game."
Alongside Scott all week will be Texas Tech head coach Greg Sands who is entering his 20th season leading the Red Raiders and will serve as Scott's caddie at the championship. Sands is caddying a major championship for the first time but is excited about the opportunity to be on the bag and continue helping Scott. Â
"Sandy is his own swing coach and guy when it comes to figuring out things on the course," Sands said. "If I can add some input that is why I'm there. I think the one thing you have to be is committed in this game. If I can add some commitment and encouragement then that will help on a U.S. Open golf course. I'm here to help cheer him on out there."
Scott is one of 144 golfers, including 10 past champions and 12 runner-ups, competing in the 2020 U.S. Open Championship in Mamaroneck, New York. The course has hosted five U.S. Open Championships, first in 1929 and most recently in 2006 with Geoff Ogilvy winning the title. Woods called Winged Foot one of the hardest courses he's played in his news conference, a description highlighted by Ogilvy winning the championship at 5-over-par back in 2006. This week the par-70 course will play at 7,477 yards.
"It requires you to drive the ball straight and hit fairways," Scott said. "Certainly it tests your precision and approach. You're going to hit some shots into the rough and off the greens. You'll be tested with your touch and smart play. We'll take our medicine when it comes but I think it fits well."
A two-time All-American for the Red Raiders, Scott elected to return for his second senior season after the NCAA granted a waiver due to the pandemic. His 2019-20 season included his first collegiate victory at The Carmel Cup and him helping the Red Raiders reach the No. 1 national ranking for the first time in program history. He was named a PING and Golfweek All-American to go along with earning CoSIDA Academic All-America a couple months before he graduated with a political science degree.
Scott comes into the event after reaching the U.S. Amateur Championship Round of 32 for the second straight year and having competed last fall in the Walker Cup. Still, along with the rest of the world, he had to adjust his normal training through the pandemic.
"They got significantly stricter about a week after I got home," Scott said. "There was a lock-down period and golf courses were shut down for about 10 weeks. I couldn't to visit the course for that amount of time so I was just in the garden hitting balls and into a net. Just chipping in the garden. It was the start of June when they reopened so I was taking advantage of that for about a month before restrictions eased. I was able to play a competitive tournament back home and got to play in the U.S. Amateur."
TELEVISION COVERAGE: The U.S. Open will be broadcasted throughout starting with the Golf Channel from 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Thursday and NBC continuing coverage from 1-4 p.m. On Friday, the tournament will air from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. on the Golf Channel and then from 3-6 p.m. on NBC. Highlights and coverage will also be available at usopen.com.
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