Jamie Lovemark won the NCAA golf championship when he was sophomore at the University of Southern California in 2007. That makes him part of the Trojans’ athletic royalty on a level even more exclusive than Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold.
Darnold never won a national championship at USC as did Lovemark, who nonetheless predicts big things for his fellow Southern Cal alum.
“He looks good so far,” Lovemark said of Darnold, who continued his rookie preseason with a game against the Giants on Friday night at MetLife Stadium. “I wish him the best. He’s going to be a great prospect. He’s a hell of a player.”
If Darnold can have the kind of success his fellow Trojan has had up the road at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, the Jets will be happy. Lovemark shot a second-straight 5-under 66 on Friday to earn a share of the lead at 10-under with Brooks Koepka going into Saturday’s third round. Adam Scott is one stroke back at 9-under.
Koepka is the Goliath of golf right now, having won the U.S. Open and PGA Championship this year to give him three career major championships. Lovemark, a former two-time All-American and the best amateur golfer on the planet for a stretch in 2007, hasn’t won a thing since turning pro in 2009 aside from two Web.com events. He and Koepka will be paired in the final group on Saturday, but Lovemark isn’t flinching.
“I’ll take 5-under every time here,” he said of his back-to-back 66s. “It’s going to be a tough weekend. It should firm up a little bit. It’s a great field.”
We know Koepka. But we’ve never heard of Lovemark despite his promising amateur career. There have been setbacks and injuries, including back issues in 2011. He came into this tournament ranked 86th, but finds himself sharing the spotlight with Koepka as the 36-hole leaders of the Northern Trust.
“I had a tough start to my career, but it made me stronger,” Lovemark said. “I’ve gone through some ups and downs like many other players have gone through. I’m proud to come out the other side.”
Lovemark is even with Koepka because he has made birdies; 13 of them to be exact, including seven on Friday. Starting his round on the ninth hole, he made three consecutive birdies beginning at the 17th and added back-to-back birdies on the third and fourth holes.
“I consider myself a good putter,” Lovemark said. “I just feel like it’s a matter of time before I start making some putts and maybe it’s this week.”
Two of his birdies came from MetLife Stadium. He drained a 44-footer for birdie at the par-4 fourth hole and a 65-footer to jump-start his round at the par-4 ninth.
“I use the ‘aim small, miss small’ philosophy,” Lovemark said. “I think when you narrow the focus near the target the better the results.”
Koepka, with his bulging biceps and soft putter, is familiar with this stage. He has a chance to become the No. 1-ranked player in the world with a win here. He served notice of his intention to win by closing with three consecutive birdies to complete a round of 6-under 65.
Koepka is getting greedy. He has already wrapped up the Player of the Year Award after winning two majors. Now he’s after outright dominance. Lovemark has to prove he has the game to keep up.
“The goal starting the week is to win the event and you have to have some good rounds to win it,” Lovemark said. “I’m in great shape right now. We’ll take [Saturday] and go one step at a time and go from there.”
Can David beat Goliath? Lovemark thinks so.
“Getting to Atlanta and having a chance to win the FedEx Cup Playoffs is the biggest goal,” he said. “Other than that, it’s about going out there and making some birdies.”
Fight On.
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