Player DQ'd after purposely running up score in U.S. Am qualifier
Truly, Trey Bilardello had to work at it to shoot a U.S. Amateur qualifying score in the triple digits. There’s nothing beside Bilardello’s name but a “DQ” on the scoring page for the Mayacoo Lakes qualifier in West Palm Beach, Fla., but that’s only because Bilardello was disqualified by the Florida State Golf Association by purposely shooting a score that exceeded 200.
According to a report by GolfChannel.com, Bilardello, a professional caddie who has worked for such recognizable names as Jim Herman and Moriya Jutanugarn, parred the opening two holes in the qualifier, made triple bogey at the next and then took his score purposely off the rails from there. On 10 holes, he made a score in the double digits.
Kristian Fortis, the player paired with Bilardello, told Golf Channel that Bilardello spent much of the day purposely running up his score after telling Fortis that he wanted to shoot the highest recorded score in USGA history.
Fortis managed a 76 despite the distraction, but did not qualify for the U.S. Amateur.
In a statement to Golf Digest, the USGA said that Bilardello was disqualified after the completion of play.
"The Florida State Golf Association, after consulting with the United States Golf Association, has disqualified Trey Bilardello under Rule 1.2 for serious misconduct and failing to play in the spirit of the game," Beth Major, USGA senior director of championship communications, told Golf Digest.
"His disqualification was deemed appropriate as a result of the individual’s failure to show consideration for other players—deliberately playing away from the hole to run up his score," Major said.
ABOUT THE U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying
18-hole qualifying at various courses
across the United States, from which successful
qualifiers advance to the U.S. Amateur. Players include
those who have advanced through Local Qualifying and
others who gain exemptions into Final Qualifying.
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