Merritt Island Native, Former Eastern Florida Golfer Mickey DeMorat Qualifies for U.S Open
By Michael Parsons, Eastern Florida State Sports // June 6, 2018
Assistant Pro at Suntree Country Club to compete June 14-17 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA– Former Eastern Florida State College men’s golfer Michael ‘Mickey’ DeMorat has qualified for the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York June 14-17.
DeMorat, who graduated from Liberty University last month, birdied the par-4 18th hole to force a three-way playoff which he won on the second hole at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, MD on Monday.
“I thought I probably had to eagle the 18th to get in so I hit my second shot close but short, made the 10-foot downhill putt for birdie and it ended up being good enough,” DeMorat said.
“Maybe it helped that I wasn’t thinking the putt was to get in but I got in (to playoff) and then parred both playoff holes to earn the spot. It didn’t really sink in for a while, it is crazy to think I will be playing with the best players in the world in the U.S. Open.”
The Merritt Island native and assistant pro at Suntree Country Club earned All-Big South first-team honors as a senior at Liberty and was named to the Big South All-Championship team.
While at Eastern Florida State College, DeMorat helped the Titans to a second-place finish in the NJCAA National Championship Tournament in 2015, finishing in a tie for second individually.
Related Story:Four Members of Eastern Florida State College Men’s Golf Team Qualify for Florida State Amateur
The first round of the U.S. Open will be shown on FS1 beginning at 11 a.m.
“I have never played there so we were told we can start practice rounds Sunday and so I will get up there and get a feel for the course and see how I do,” said DeMorat who plans to turn pro before the U.S. Open.
“I am just really happy and excited to have this chance.”
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