James only SC golfer to advance in U.S. Amateur

Charleston Southern golfer Austin James won two matches Thursday to move into the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields Country Club near Chicago. Meanwhile, two other South Carolinians — USC senior Matt NeSmith (North Augusta) and Gilbert High senior Caleb Proveaux (Lexington) — were eliminated.

James, the 2014 Canadian Junior champion, bounced Denny McCarthy (Rockville, Md.) 3-and-2 in the morning round of 32 and came back with a 2-and-1 triumph over UCLA golfer Jake Knapp (Costa Mesa, Calif.) in the afternoon round of 16.

NeSmith, the SEC champion, fell to Walker Cup player Bryson DeChambeau, who plays for Southern Methodist. DeChambeau birdied five of the first eight holes, opened a 6-up lead and cruised to a 5-and-4 victory. Proveaux fell victim to Paul Dunne, an Irishman who played at Alabama-Birmingham and shared the third-round British Open lead this year. Dunne won holes 6, 7 and 9 to take command and prevailed 3-and-2.

James faces Sean Crocker, who plays at Southern California, in today’s quarterfinals.

This story was originally published August 20, 2015 at 8:57 PM with the headline "James only SC golfer to advance in U.S. Amateur."