SPRINGFIELD — Eric Ricard of Shreveport fired a 1-under par 71 Thursday to win medalist honors in the U.S. Open local qualifier at Carter Plantation.
Ricard is a freshman on the LSU men’s team and the defending Louisiana Amateur champion.
Ricard advances to sectional qualifying June 2 at Lakeside Country Club in Houston. Golfers there will try to qualify for the 114th U.S. Open Championship, June 12-15 at Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Six players tied at even par 72 and went to a playoff for the three other advancing spots.
Stephen Wall of Madisonville made a birdie on the first playoff hole to advance, while Nathan Camacho of San Antonio and Jacob Bergeron of Slidell advanced with pars.
Wall will go to sectional qualifying in Memphis, Tennessee, while Camacho and Bergeron will also go to Houston.