Struggling with a groin injury, Palmer Jackson isn’t having the 2020 season he had hoped for.
The 2019 Franklin Regional grad and Murrysville native shot an uncharacteristic 9-over par 80 on Monday at the U.S. Amateur at Bandon Dunes Resort in Oregon.
Jackson had an 8-par 44 on the back nine. He had a 1-over 37 with a birdie on No. 9.
The second round will be Tuesday and then the field will be cut to the low 64 for match play.
He reached the semifinals in the U.S. Amateur in 2019.
While Jackson struggled, so did Oakmont’s Sean Knapp, who started his round with a birdie.
But things went downhill from there. Knapp was 6-over in the final five holes and finished the opening round with a 10-over 82.
Both golfers have work to do Tuesday if they hope to qualify for match play.
