ERIN, Wis. _ Jordan Niebrugge smiled as he lifted his cap on the green of the par-3 ninth hole, his final hole in second round of the U.S. Open.
The reaction said it all.
Making the cut at Erin Hills was the goal for the Mequon native since qualifying last week in Tacoma, Wash. It took a big-time bogey-save on the final hole in his second round to do so, but he did so nonetheless.
"I was looking forward to playing well here. Obviously, making the cut, it's great," Niebrugge said afterward in his bright orange Oklahoma State polo. "Saturday is moving day, and I'm looking for a great couple of rounds and looking forward to getting things rolling tomorrow and the next day."
Rod Niebrugge, Jordan's dad, was relieved to see his son finish the way he did, especially after Jordan shot a 73 opening round. Specifically, Rod was happy after Jordan up to the right of the pin from a bunker behind the No. 9 green in the closing moments.
"He made the smart play," Rod said.
Much of Jordan's even-par round was played smart, especially his first nine which began at 12:30 p.m. on No. 10.
Playing with fellow Cowboy alums Talor Gooch (74-71-145) and Kevin Dougherty (71-71-143), who both made the cut, Jordan attacked pins that were accessible and played it safe to those that weren't.
Then, on Nos. 16 and 17, he made a move.
After opening with six stressful pars, including a 20-foot save on No. 12 and a 6-foot save on No. 14, Niebrugge stepped to the par-3 16th hole with confidence.
Niebrugge held his finish after striking the ball, which was hit pin-high to about 13 feet. He poured in the putt. Then, on No. 17, he striped one down the fairway, lasered an iron to about eight feet and canned another putt.
"It was good to get in red numbers for a little bit there," Niebrugge said, but then laughed. "I wish I could've stayed there longer."
