John Ellis fired a 7-under-par 65 as the top scorer in Monday’s U.S. Open local qualifier at Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills.
The Live Oak graduate was among six players who advanced to the June 4 sectional qualifier at Lake Merced Golf Club.
Ellis, 32, highlighted a bogey-free round with a solid stretch in which he scattered five birdies and an eagle across eight holes. He carded back-to-back birdies on the eighth and ninth to finish 2-under at the turn, then birdied three of his next holes, including an eagle on the par-5 No. 14.
Ellis is trying for a third appearance in the U.S. Open, which will run June 14-17 at The OIympic Club in San Francisco. He has played in four PGA Tour events.
Also on Monday, Morgan Hill’s Amay Poria competed in a separate local qualifier at Ruby Hill Golf Club in Pleasanton. The 16-year-old tied for 64th at 12-over and did not advance.
Erick Justesen, 27, another Morgan Hill product, is entered in a local qualifier at Dragon Ridge Country Club in Henderson, Nev., on May 15. Justsesen is out for a second U.S. Open appearance and fifth PGA Tour cut.
