RICHMOND, Texas - While most 16-year-olds are taking it easy in their first week of summer vacation, Memorial’s golfing whiz kid, Cory Whitsett, spent his first day of summer Monday trying to qualify for one of the PGA Tour’s marquee tournaments.

Whitsett, the reigning U.S. Junior Amateur champion, faced off against 29 other golfers, including pros Steve Elkington and Rich Beem, in a sectional qualifying tournament at Shadow Hawk Golf Club in Richmond on Monday. Up for grabs were two spots in the U.S. Open next weekend at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, Calif.

This isn’t the first time Whitsett has played in a sectional qualifier. He played in one last year.

“It’s pretty cool,” Whitsett said. “I got to play with Corey Pavin in sectionals last year, so I’ve gotten a taste of it.”

Whitsett shot a 143 in the two-round tournament, good for fourth-place behind Beem (139), Elkington (141) and Robert Gwin (141). Beem and Elkington both qualify to play in the open on June 9-15.

Whitsett shot a 2-under par 70 earlier in the day, but adjusting to the tougher course and the sweltering heat helped him to shoot a 73 in the late-afternoon round.

“I hit some uncharacteristically long shots,” he said.

Whitsett, who also won the 5A state individual title last month, said it took him a while to adjust to the tough course at Shadow Hawk.

“The courses are a lot different,” Whitsett said. “You can blow it anywhere out here, you got to be precise. I drove it really well today. I was really pleased with that.”

Whitsett stayed calm with his shots despite the tougher course and hot weather.

“You can’t do that, you just have to hit your shots and go out and hit the best shot you can,” Whitsett said. “That’s all you can do is prepare for it and deal with the results.”

There’s more golf ahead for Whitsett this summer, including a chance to defend his U.S. Amateur title in July. But he enjoyed his time playing among friends and family near home.

“It was great,” Whitsett said. “I had a good friend from the club caddy for me and it was a fun time.”

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