Palmetto State golfers advance in U.S. Am
Turk Pettit, who will enroll at Clemson this month, and Art Griffin, who plays for Charleston Southern, earned berths Tuesday in the match-play competition of the U.S. Amateur in Los Angeles.
Pettit followed an opening 1-under 69 with a 1-over 71 to finish the 36-hole stroke-play qualifying at even-par 140. Griffin also matched par for two days, adding a 74 Tuesday to Monday’s 66.
Clemson sophomore Doc Redman slipped to 3-over 73 Tuesday for a 4-over 144 total. He tied for 57th and faced a 13-players-for-eight-spots playoff for berths in the match-play draw. The low 64 players advance to match play, which begins Wednesday.
Players with South Carolina connections who failed to make match play include Trace Crowe (Easley/Auburn) at 146, Jacques Wilson (Charleston Southern) at 147, William Rainey (College of Charleston) at 150, Todd White (Spartanburg) at 151, Scott Stevens (USC) at 153 and Ryan Marter (Columbia/Wofford) at 158.
Pettit posted three early birdies at Bel Air, one of the two courses used for stroke play, to go to 4-under for the tournament before playing his final nine holes at 4-over. His even-par score tied for 20th.
Griffin encountered tough sledding at Riviera, but his opening 4-under 66 gave him margin for error. After three early bogeys on his back nine, he finished with four consecutive pars to secure his match-play slot in a tie for 20th.