Oklahoma State University Athletics
Five Cowboys Reach Match Play At U.S. Amateur
August 25, 2009 | Cowboy Golf
Aug. 25, 2009
TULSA, Okla. - Five of Oklahoma State's six participants in the 2009 U.S. Amateur Championship survived 36 holes of stroke play to advance to the match play portion of the event, which is scheduled to get underway on Wednesday at Southern Hills Country Club.
The 312-player field began play on Monday with competitors playing one round at both Southern Hills and Cedar Ridge Country Club. The top 64 players advance to the match play bracket.
Senior Trent Whitekiller turned in the best performance by a Cowboy, firing a 68 on Tuesday at Cedar Ridge to move into a tie for fifth place at 142 after opening with a 74 on Monday at Southern Hills.
The Sallisaw, Okla., native's 2-under score tied the low round of the tournament and was one of just 16 rounds in the 60s over the past two days at the par-70 layouts. On Tuesday, Whitekiller began with a bogey on his opening hole. However, he followed with seven-straight pars before closing his opening nine with a birdie at the par-4 ninth.
He dipped into red numbers for the first time on the day with a birdie at the 12th before posting a bogey one hole later to move back to level par. However, he closed with birdies at Nos. 15 and 18 to secure his top-five finish.
Germantown, Tenn., native Tim Jackson claimed medalist honors with an even-par 140 after posting a 2-over 72 on Tuesday at Cedar Ridge.
Junior Kevin Tway followed his opening round of 72 at Cedar Ridge with a 71 on Tuesday at Southern Hills. The Edmond, Okla., native's 143 total was also good for a top 10 as well, tying him for ninth place.
Sophomore Morgan Hoffmann advanced with a 6-over total of 146 that included a second-round 72 at Cedar Ridge. The Wyckoff, N.J., native tied for 32nd place.
Fellow sophomore Peter Uihlein posted a 73 at Southern Hills during his second round and finished tied for 45th at 147.
Also in the group at 147 was Rickie Fowler, who carded a 76 at Southern Hills on Tuesday.
True freshman Kevin Dougherty finished at 155 after posting a round of 79 at Cedar Ridge during Round Two and did not advance to match play.
First-round matches will be determined after tomorrow morning's playoff between 27 players for the final four spots in the match play tree. The playoff will begin at 7:30 a.m. (CST) and will be followed by match play at 8:00 a.m.
