Whitney alum Zach Pollo to play in the U.S. Open

While the eyes of the golf world are on Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania this weekend for the U.S. Open, fans in Placer County will be fixated on one of their own. Zach Pollo, a Whitney High School graduate who now plays at the University of Arizona, is set to play in the tournament as an amateur. Pollo is a true homegrown talent. He plays at Haggin Oaks as his home course and has been coached by the course pro, Tom Morton, since he was 12. Morton will serve as his caddie in the U.S. Open and says he's available to provide any help Pollo may need on one of the country's most daunting courses. Morton has seen Pollo's potential from a young age and said he stood out early with his ability to play at a higher level than most kids his age. "You could tell even at 12 or 13 years old that he had a lot of potential and did some things that not many kids his age could do. It also helps that he comes from a great family so that provides a lot of stability," said Morton. "He's always had a love and passion for the game, and drive to work at the game and to get to know the game that I hadn't seen a young person like that." Morton caddied for Pollo in the U.S. Junior Championships and other junior tournaments, and says Pollo feels comfortable with a coach he's familiar with in his corner when he's taking on a challenging and unfamiliar course. Pollo placed third in the U.S. Open Final Qualifying Round at Valencia Country Club in Southern California on June 2, shooting a 136 over two rounds. Playing 36 holes in one day, it's often called the longest day in golf and is considered one of the most grueling tests for any player. After qualifying, Morton said he believes Pollo is playing some of the best golf of his life but this weekend will be a test like he has never endured. Morton says through the practice rounds, Pollo's biggest goal is to approach it like any other tournament. "His game obviously has been really, really good coming in. Our job is to really just get comfortable with being here and getting a feel for the golf course, making sure that he's doing all the little things that he would normally do at a golf tournament," said Morton. "We're not really deviating from how he likes to go about preparing." Pollo played his practice round Wednesday alongside Keegan Bradley, who will captain the United States at the 2025 Ryder Cup in September. Morton said Bradley offered some helpful tips to Pollo. "It's pretty special when you're seeing players like that and what they do and how they prepare. Most of them, like Keegan, were really terrific and were offering up information," said Morton. "We are certainly figuring out how to navigate the rough in the golf course, because it is as hard of a golf course as I've ever seen in my entire life. When you're hearing the players talk, they don't disagree. It's really, really hard." Morton says it's important for Pollo to remember he's here for a reason and just needs to stay on track and not get too caught up in the moment. "On our first day we're here, we're chipping next to Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka, then Rory McIlroy walked right by us as we were chipping. At every turn, there's golfers that are the best in the world and people that you look up to as a golfer," said Morton. "I told Zach early on, 'Look around and see all these people. There are some amazing players here and whatnot, but you belong here just like they do. This is the U.S. Open. It's the Open Championship. You made it here just like they did.' " Pollo was scheduled to tee off Thursday at 11:20 a.m. (PDT) and Friday at 5:35 a.m. (PDT). He will play alongside Ryan McCormick and Trevor Cone in the opening rounds.