By Sports Reporter,
The Province, June 17, 2009



VANCOUVER — Abbotsford’s Nick Taylor is the new World Amateur Golf Ranking No. 1, leaping five places to the top spot after an exceptional performance at the U.S. Open sectional qualifying.

The 21-year-old University of Washington senior finished two shots ahead of the field at the Suncadia Resort, carding a two-round total of 6-under-par 136.

Only two spots in this week’s U.S. Open were available to the 36 competitors, and the First Team All-American showed his stuff to qualify for the second year in succession.

Taylor tees off in Thursday’s first round at 9:41 a.m. PDT. TSN will be live throughout Taylor’s round at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y.

This season, Taylor rewrote his school’s record book, registering the most victories in a single year (four), the lowest 54-hole total (198), the lowest third-round score (63) and becoming Washington’s first Pac-10 Player of the Year. He has finished in the top 10 in eight of his 11 college tournaments played this year.