WA Golf News June 19, 2023

Andrew and Michael Putnam: Brothers in Arms at U.S. Open

Andrew Putnam had his older brother Michael caddying for him at this year’s U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. (USGA/Kathryn Riley)

Playing in his fifth U.S. Open last week at Los Angeles Country Club, Andrew Putnam of University Place, Wash. had his older brother Michael on the bag as his caddie. Andrew, who in 2010 was named the WA Golf Men’s Player of the Year, made the cut in the national championship, eventually finishing tied for 43rd. Eight years ago, Michael had the honor of hitting the opening tee shot of the 115th U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, just a stone’s throw from his residence, also in University Place. The two Putnams had honed their golf skills growing up in the Tacoma area, both winning the Pacific Coast Amateur (Michael in 2004, Andrew in 2010), and both playing golf at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. Michael, a member of the victorious U.S. Walker Cup Team in 2005, previously competed on the PGA Tour, and in 2013 was the Player of the Year on the Web.com Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour). No longer competing on any tours, the 40-year-old father of three now remains close to the action as a caddie for Andrew. Next month, on July 20-23, the Open Championship will be held at Royal Liverpool (Hoylake), and Andrew is confirmed for being in the field in that championship. His other previous appearance at an Open Championship was in 2019 at Royal Portrush. Michael will be at Hoylake with him, on the bag. Also seen caddying: Chris Williams Also seen caddying at this year’s U.S. Open was Chris Williams, a member of the 2011 U.S. Walker Cup Team and former No. 1-ranked amateur in the world, who is now an assistant golf coach at Auburn University. Williams caddied for Auburn Tigers junior Brendan Valdes, one of the amateurs who qualified for the championship, but missed the cut. Originally from Moscow, Idaho, Williams starred on the University of Washington golf team. In 2011 he won the Pacific Coast Amateur and Sahalee Players Championship, and in 2012 won the Washington Men’s Amateur (finishing 10 shots clear of the field) and Western Amateur. He was named the WA Golf Men’s Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012 (and WA Golf Junior Boys’ Player of the Year in 2007).

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