“It’s hard not to think about it when you’re out there,” Kretz reflected on his focused performance. “I knew I was playing well. I tried to forget where I was at and play each hole by itself. Especially with all the rain they’ve been getting, you never know what it’s going to be like.” Despite the challenging conditions, Kretz managed five birdies, and crucial par saves after the turn propelled him to three birdies over his final six holes.
Here's what made Kretz's day stand out:
- Driver Performance: Kretz mentioned his driver was in top form.
- Iron Play: The soft greens required delicate shots to manage spin, which added a layer of difficulty.
- Putting Setup: He adjusted his putting before the tournament, which paid off with smooth rolling putts.
“I missed a couple of greens spinning off the front but chipped really well and made the 3-, 4-, 5-footers for par a couple times coming in,” Kretz said, underscoring the importance of his short game. Content with his strong start, he added, “Just happy with posting a nice score the first round and not setting yourself behind the eight ball. So, just getting a nice start to the tournament.”
Paired with Kenosha Tremper High School and University of Wisconsin alumnus Cameron Huss, the reigning Wisconsin State Open champ and last year’s Amateur runner-up, Kretz was in good company. Huss also had a commendable performance, matching Kretz's five birdies but stumbling with two bogeys in his final six holes to finish with a 2-under 69. Fellow Badger Jacob Beckman from Middleton also completed the day at 2-under.
Another notable player, Sheboygan’s Max Schmidtke, shared his experience of a dramatic round. He was 2-under through 16 holes but double-bogeyed the par-5 17th, only to bounce back spectacularly with an eagle on the par-4 18th using a 50-degree wedge from 111 yards out. “It started with a really nice bounce-back swing off the tee,” Schmidtke said. Despite feeling the double-bogey was undeserved, he managed to regain momentum quickly.
Madison's Garrett Jones, finishing even-par at 71, joined the ranks of players with five birdies in the first round. With more rain anticipated before Tuesday's second round, Schmidtke was optimistic about the potential for low scores in Round 2. “I think it’s out there for sure,” he remarked. “Ty, no surprise at all, he's such a solid player. And with how you can position yourself off the tee, with how soft it is, you have to control your spin, but it’s a lot easier with some of the longer approach shots or into the par 5s.”
Finishing at 1-under were Bryson Mercier from Powers, Michigan, Joe DuChateau from Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin assistant golf coach Ross Thomson, and Badgers player Will Harned from Nashotah.
However, it wasn’t a great day for everyone. The defending champion, Jack Schultz from Whitefish Bay, struggled with a 7-over 78, placing him 12 shots off the lead. The last player to win the Amateur in consecutive years was Ryan Quinn in 2001-02.
From the field of past champions, University of Wisconsin alumnus Tyler Obermueller (2022) was the only recent winner participating, having claimed victory in 2009 at The Legend at Merrill Hills. Obermueller, who briefly turned professional before regaining his amateur status, shot a 4-over 75. Other past champions such as Piercen Hunt (2021), Thomas Longbella (2020), Hunter Eichorn (2019), Harrison Ott (2018), Matt Tolan (2017), Alex Gaugert (2014), and Jordan Niebrugge (2013) have since turned professional.
As the championship unfolds, all eyes are on the players to see how they navigate the challenging conditions and continue to push for the title. The rain-softened greens and the strategic play required promise an exciting and unpredictable tournament ahead.
Login