Donegan to US Amateur Semis: Daly and Russell Eliminated

Niall Shiels Donegan Advances to U.S. Amateur Semifinals

Scottish golfer Niall Shiels Donegan, who grew up in Mill Valley, California, managed to advance to the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club. His performance was celebrated by an enthusiastic gallery present. Donegan, who is about to start his first season at the University of North Carolina after two years at Northwestern, defeated Jacob Modleski, a senior at Notre Dame, with a par on the 19th hole in windy conditions.

I feel like with this crowd, I know a lot of them, and it feels very natural. I can’t thank them enough for being here. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment. It’s incredible that they’re giving me so much support.

Niall Shiels Donegan

Donegan tied the score with a 6-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole.

You have to be very patient. You can’t get ahead of yourself… each hole is an event in itself, and it’s about staying in the present, without thinking about the future.

Niall Shiels Donegan

In the semi-final, Donegan will face Jackson Herrington, a sophomore at Tennessee, who defeated Jimmy Abdo of Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota with a score of 4 and 2.

I didn’t play very well today. I was pretty angry with myself about it. I felt like I kept it in the game a little too long, but I got the job done.

Jackson Herrington

Herrington and Donegan were two of the 17 players who advanced from a 20-player playoff on Wednesday morning to determine the final 64 for match play. In the other semifinal, Georgia teenager Mason Howell will face Oklahoma State senior Eric Lee. Both won their matches with a score of 1 up.