It was a tale of two rounds for Andy Pope. After carding a 4-under 67 at Old Oaks Country Club, Pope headed to Century Country Club in a tie for the lead. He admittingly made nothing on the greens in his second round, but was still able to produce an even-par 70, good for a two-round total of 4-under 137 and yet another qualifying spot in the U.S. Open. After completing play in Purchase, New York, Pope drove to NBC Sports studio to discuss his qualifying results with Shane Bacon and Damon Hack. When asked about his success in U.S. Open qualifying, Pope said, “I wish I could tell you the rhyme or reason, but you know honestly, I think it has to do with patience, grinding it out mental and physical capability and just being patient. The courses up here in the Northeast are so good that it thrives on driving it straight, great iron play, and being able to get up around the greens. I was able to play smart, you know, really plotted my way around the course, drove it really well, ironed it pretty awesome, and you know, made some putts.” Pope will play in this week’s BMW Charity Pro-Am on the Korn Ferry Tour before heading to Torrey Pines for the U.S. Open.
