USGA/Logan Whitten Photo
As stroke play was wrapping up on Tuesday evening, daylight was running thin, and a 13-for-9 playoff to decide the remaining spots in match play would have to be delayed. Delays have been commonplace at this year's U.S. Junior, with stoppages in play for both rounds of stroke play due to severe weather.
After the delay on Tuesday afternoon, the final groups did not finish their rounds until after 8 o’clock, leaving no time for a playoff.
A Wednesday morning playoff starting at 7 a.m. on the North Course would decide who advances to match play: 13 competitors for nine spots. The 10th hole on the North Course is a 155-yard par 3 with a large two-tiered green, with the pin tucked in the back, protected by Oakland Hills Country Club's characteristically severe slopes.
In rare fashion, only one playoff hole was necessary. Bailey Sutter of Cullman, Alabama, and Jaxon Bandelier of Austin, Texas, birdied the short hole after great approach shots, making things quite simple for themselves.
Players who made par were prepared to move onto the next playoff hole, waiting for all groups to finish, but found themselves in a great position; a clean seven players made par for the remaining seven spots: Davis Hartwell of Klamath Falls, Ore.; Alex Holder of Fort Wayne, Ind.,; William Lisle of Bradenton, Fla.,; Hsuan-Yi Chen of Chinese Taipei; Brayden Miller of Goshen, Ind.; Ieuan Jones of Wales; and Alex Huang of Plano, Tex.
Among the non-advancers, William Ma of San Diego, Calif., and Lapassapon L. Heras-Gomez of Thailand came up short with a bogey 4. Arnold He of Fremont, Calif., made a double-bogey, and South Africa's Daniel Bennett made a triple-bogey.
As the qualifiers walked from 10 green back to the South course, the telltale signs of a relieved golfer could be witnessed: A deep breath of relief, a hug from an ecstatic Mom and Dad, and a celebratory embrace with their caddie.
For the non-qualifiers, the disappointment was equally recognizable. Players with their hands in their faces, shaking their heads with disbelief, and getting supportive counsel from their parents. Making matchplay at the U.S. Junior is an incredible accomplishment, and it can be devastating to come up just short.
For those who advanced, the round of 64 will be a tough matchup. Filling the final seeds in matchplay, the playoff advances will get a shot at the hottest players in the field.
(64) Alex Huang vs. (1) Blades Brown
(63) Ieuan Jones vs. (2) Tyler Watts
(62) Brayden Miller vs. (3) Joshua Bai
(61) Hsuan-Li Chen vs. (4) Lev Grinberg
(60) William Lisle vs. (5) Mack Edwards
(59) Alex Holder vs. (6) Chase Kyes
(58) Davis Hartwell vs. (7) Michael Riebe
(57) Jaxon Bandelier vs. (8) Sean Keeling
(56) Bailey Sutter vs. (9) Chase Cline
Players who win their matches will advance to Thursday’s Round of 32, which will start at 7:00 a.m. on the Oakland Hills Country Club South course.
View results for U.S. Junior Amateur
ABOUT THE
U.S. Junior Amateur
While it is not the
oldest
competition, the U.S. Junior Amateur is
considered the premier junior competition,
having been around since 1948. The event
is
open to male golfers who have not
reached
their 19th birthday prior to the close of
competition and whose USGA Handicap
Index
does not exceed 6.4. The U.S. Junior is
one of
14 national championship conducted
annually
by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for
amateurs.
View Complete Tournament Information