Temple's Patrick Ross is medalist in Phila. Amateur qualifying

Patrick Ross pushed back his professional career just to play this week at Merion Golf Club. He plans on turning pro next week at the Vermont Open.

If he became a professional this week, he wouldn't be able to play in the 116th BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship. And the Temple graduate, who had the lowest score in Monday's qualifying round among 134 golfers, understands the history of the tournament at this venue.

"I waited for this because obviously, Merion, you've got to play this," Ross said.

Ross shot 2-over-par 143 over 36 holes to enter the Round of 32 on Tuesday as the top seed. In the first 18 holes at Philadelphia Country Club, he finished at 1-under 70. In his second 18 at Merion, he fired a 73.

Fellow Temple grad Matthew Teesdale came in at second with a total of 145. Christopher Ault and Michael McDermott tied for third at 146.

Ross, a native of Dunmore, Pa., was comfortable with knocking in par after par because of how firm the greens were. He finished with 22 pars and seven birdies.

"You just have to take what the course gives you," Ross said. "The more you try to do shots that you're not used to doing or you're not comfortable with, disaster happens."

Ross' day nearly got off track when he scored bogey or worse four out of five times from holes 3-7 at Merion. But he rounded into form to end with just one bogey in his final 11, including birdies on holes 13 and 15 that secured his lead.

Ross had played only twice before at the challenging Merion course, which has hosted five U.S. Opens.

To help with his lack of experience, Ross had Nelson Hargrove as his caddie. Hargrove was the runner-up at this tournament in 2014 and is a member at Merion.

"There were a few putts here that he said was breaking one way and I thought it was the other way," Ross said, "and obviously he was right."

Starting on Tuesday, the tournament shifts from stroke play to match play. In the past, Ross said he would beat himself. The furthest he has reached is the second round.

"You can't really worry about [the opponent]," Ross said. "You've just got to play your game, but if they play better than you, so be it."