Dirksen on top of his game at U.S. Amateur

Photo by Tracy Wilcox

Jed Dirksen reads a putt at Chambers Bay.

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U.S. Amateur (Rds. of 32, 16)

As temperatures dropped and the wind picked up, the Rounds of 32 and 16 created a lot of excitement at Chambers Bay.

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. – Jed Dirksen, two months removed from appendicitis, is in the quarterfinals at the U.S. Amateur.

“June 11,” Dirksen said of the date he had his appendix removed. “I know the exact date, it’s my sister’s birthday.”

Dirksen sat out a month, but has played well in state events since returning. He finished second in the Iowa Amateur, fourth in the Northwest Iowa Amateur and third in the Herman Sani Invitational.

Dirksen was a highly-ranked junior player, but has played a limited amount of college events. He’ll be eligible to play for the University of Iowa in spring 2011 after transferring from Central Florida (Dirksen is still carrying a Central Florida bag this week, but wearing an Iowa visor). Dirksen, of Hampton, Iowa, started his college career at Arizona State.

Dirksen, who’s carried his own bag the entire event, will face incoming UCLA freshman Patrick Cantlay in Friday’s quarterfinals. Dirksen beat Joseph Bramlett in 19 holes in the Round of 16.

Dirksen didn’t play amateur golf last summer because of bulging disks in his back, and didn’t compete in college golf. He transferred to Iowa halfway through the year.

“I’m just glad to be healthy and playing the game I love,” Dirksen said.