To say that the year 2019 has been memorable for Brandon Wu ’15 would be a huge understatement. The recent Stanford college graduate has already accomplished a lot in the first six months of the year.
To kick start his achievements, he and his Stanford men’s golf teammates closed out their regular season of matches on a 5-match undefeated streak, propelling them into the NCAA tournament where the Cardinal were crowned 2019 NCAA Men’s Golf Champions on May 29, defeating Texas in the final match. Closing out his career as a Cardinal in a historic way.
From there, Wu qualified for the 119th US Open at the sectional qualifier at Brookside Golf and Country Club and Scioto Country Club by earning one of 14 qualifying spots out of 121 players at the event on June 3.
The following week, Wu represented team USA in the 2019 Arnold Palmer Cup and gave the address for team USA at the opening ceremonies of the Arnold Palmer Cup.
"Mr. Palmer left us a perfect example to follow and we are eager to forge our own paths under his guidance." -Brandon Wu#ApCup #LifeWellPlayed pic.twitter.com/6MhZMRuKQ1
— Arnold Palmer Cup (@ArnoldPalmerCup) June 7, 2019
During his US Open debut last week, Wu was tied for 19th place at the end of day two and climbed his way to a tie for 17th place at the end of day three. In yesterday’s final day of the US Open, Wu was paired with #2 world ranked golfer Dustin Johnson. The pair played each other stroke-for-stroke in the final day to finish the tournament each tied for 35th place, shooting +1 overall.
However, Stanford’s graduation conflicted with Sunday’s final round of the US Open. Wu opted to miss his graduation to continue his play in the final round of the 119th US Open. “I wish I could graduate with my classmates, but I think they’ll understand and be cheering for me,” said Wu on his decision to miss graduation.
On such a memorable day, Wu’s Stanford diploma came to him on the Pebble Beach course and the United States Golf Association presented Wu with his Stanford diploma yesterday at the end of his round.
When you have to miss graduation because you’re playing the final round of the #USOpen, the diploma comes to you!
Congratulations to Brandon Wu! pic.twitter.com/Nrrc22xbOA
— USGA (@USGA) June 17, 2019
Up next, Brandon looks to maintain his amateur status and has his sights set on making the US Walker Cup team in September 2019.
To recap Wu’s success so far in 2019;
- Closed out senior season on 5 match team undefeated streak
- Won 2019 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship
- Qualified for the 119th US Open
- Played in the 2019 Palmer Cup
- Played on Sunday at the 119th US Open (finished tournament tied for 35th)
- Stanford graduate
Wu was a semifinalist in the 2018 Western Amateur and won the 2017 Porter Cup.
So proud of all that you have achieved Brandon and looking forward to watching what you achieve next!
It’s good to be Brandon Wu!