Oklahoma State University Athletics
Rickie Fowler Advances At U.S. Amateur Public Links
July 15, 2009 | Cowboy Golf
July 15, 2009
NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma State's Rickie Fowler opened the match play portion of the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship on Wednesday with a 5-and-4 victory over James Erkenbeck at Jimmie Austin Golf Club in Norman, Okla.
Fowler grabbed the early lead with a par on the opening hole before Erkenback evened the match with a birdie at the par-3 second. However, Fowler regained the advantage on the next hole with another par.
After halving the next three holes, Fowler added to his lead with his seventh-straight par at the seventh before extending to a 3-up lead with his first birdie of the day on the par-4 eighth.
Erkenback responded with a par and birdie on Nos. 9 and 10 to trim Fowler's lead to one. However, the Murrieta, Calif., native claimed the next four holes to close out the match and move into the round of 32.
Fowler's opponent during the second round will be Alton Anderson, Jr. The duo will begin play tomorrow at 7:36 a.m. (CST) at the par-71, 7,289-yard layout. The winner will move on to face the winner of the Josh Gregory-Sam Lyons match at 12:50 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.
