One current and one future ‘Hoo advanced to the match play portion of the US Amateur held at Chambers Bay Golf Club near Seattle. Fourth-year Amory Davis clinched the 64th seed, winning a 16-for-6 playoff to advance to play stroke play medalist Jeff Wilson in the first round. Recent UVa commitment Denny McCarthy also advanced to match play, shooting 71-74 to earn the 26th seed and will face San Diego Freshman All-American Alex Ching in the first round.
Following Tuesday's second round of stroke play, Davis was tied for 59th at 149. He and 15 other golfers returned to the course Wednesday morning for a playoff for one of six spots into the match play field. Five players made birdie on the first playoff hole leaving Davis and five other competitors to battle for the last spot into match play. Davis knocked in a 12-foot birdie putt on Chambers Bay's 11th hole to advance.
"That is by far the hardest hole out here," head coach Bowen Sargent said. "So to see Amory knock down a birdie putt there was exciting. He's pretty fired up to qualify for the match play and looking forward to the challenge of facing the overall No. 1 seed in his first match."
The playoff win should be a huge confidence boost as Davis prepares to face the 47-year old Wilson this afternoon. Wilson shot the round of the tournament with a 62 at the Home Course on Monday and with five USGA medals to his name (2000 &2010 US Am, 2000, 2001 and 2004 US Mid-Am) he will be a much tougher opponent than his age indicates.
For those of you reading this in the next few hours, check out Golf Channel 6:30-8:30 tonight, Amory is sure to get some airtime playing the #1 seed! Waiting in the second round is former Memphis standout Brad Benjamin who won his first-round match 6&5.
Sargent and fourth-year Henry Smart did not advance out of stroke play. Smart was 75th overall at 150, missing out on the playoff by a single stroke while Sargent was 180th in the 312-player field at 156.