Farmington Golfer Earns Shot At U.S. Open

Connecticut Golf Association

CROMWELL/FARMINGTON, CT — A former University of Connecticut golfer from Farmington recently earned a trip to try and qualify for the prestigious U.S. Open.

Zach Zaback of Farmington went to the top of the leaderboard at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell on April 24 and punched a ticket into U.S. Open Final Qualifying.

Zaback was competing on his longtime home course, putting together an up-and-down even-par round of 70 to finish in a tie for third place.

"My whole game was solid today," Zaback said. "I drove the ball very well except for one hole and that set me up with enough short irons and I was able to take advantage. I made a few key putts down the stretch that were the difference."

Still at 1-under through 11 holes, Zaback faltered a bit with a bogey on No. 12 and then a double-bogey on the par-5 13th that dropped the Farmington native back to 2-over.

Now needing to make up some ground, Zaback started to play more aggressively as he converted birdies on the short par-4 15th and then moved back to level par with a birdie on No. 17.

"All my birdies were in the 8-15 foot range and I made nice putts on all of them," Zaback stated. "However, the one that stands out was the 15-foot downhill putt that I made for birdie on No. 17."

Zaback, who played in the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines and is advancing to final qualifying for the third time in 10 attempts, continued saying, "It’s exciting to advance to U.S. Open Final Qualifying and have a chance to play in the U.S. Open for a second time.

"I’m no longer a pro, but I still love competing and think if I bring my best stuff I can still compete. It will be nice to get back into more action on golf's longest day."

For more information on the event, click on this link.