John Daly Jr. Advances in the U.S. Amateur
The son of two-time major champion John Daly was one of 32 players who secured victories in their matches on Wednesday in the first round of match play at the U.S. Amateur. The competition took place at The Olympic Club, where five of the top ten amateur players in the world also advanced. John Daly II, soon to be a senior at Arkansas, turned in a scorecard that contrasted with his famous father’s “wild child” reputation. In a 1-up victory over Cooper Claycomb, Daly won the 11th hole with a birdie, while the other 17 holes were tied. Jackson Koivun, from Auburn and number one in the amateur world ranking, stayed even with Ryan Vools until he achieved par on the 16th hole to take a 1-up lead. Koivun secured his victory with a two-putt birdie on the 17th hole, a par 5. This was Koivun’s only birdie in the match. Ben James, the world’s number 2 amateur and a senior at Virginia, secured a 2 and 1 victory over Parker Claxton. Meanwhile, Preston Stout, ranked number 4, won 4 and 3 against Pennson Badgett.Two players inside the top 10 suffered defeats in extra holes. Tommy Morrison of Texas (No. 6) lost to 18-year-old Mason Howell after making bogey on the 17th hole, a par 5, with a 1-up lead, and then a double bogey on the 19th hole. Filip Jakubcik (No. 5) fell to Eric Lee in 19 holes.
Other players in the top 10 amateur ranking who advanced were Jace Summy (No. 7) and Christiaan Maas (No. 9). Tim Wiedenmeyer, from Germany, staged the biggest comeback. He lost five of the first seven holes against Reed Greyserman, but won his last four holes for a 2 and 1 victory. In one of the most exciting matches of the initial round, the son of a former British golf writer surpassed the son of a prominent Ryder Cup player. Niall Shiels Donegan, from Scotland, whose father Lawrence was a long-time golf correspondent for The Guardian, birdied the last two holes for a 1-up victory over Luke Poulter, a Florida student and son of Ian Poulter. Donegan was among the 17 players who advanced from a 20-player playoff on Wednesday morning to determine the final 64 for match play.
