Match Play Results | John Augenstein Quotes U.S. Amateur Round of 16
PINEHURST, N.C. – It was a long, but successful, day at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club for rising senior John Augenstein as he advanced to the U.S. Amateur quarterfinals with a 1-up win over Ricky Castillo in the Round of 16 on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Augenstein claimed a 4 & 2 win over Akshay Bhatia that advanced the Owensboro, Kentucky native to the afternoon session.
Augenstein never trailed the entire day. In the morning match against Bhatia, he turned a tied match after five holes into a 3-up advantage three holes later and cruised to the 4 & 2 win. In the afternoon match against Castillo, Augenstein roared to a 4-up advantage after eight holes and then held off a furious comeback from Castillo, who plays collegiately at Florida.
“I played — my iron play and my wedge play for the most part was very good today,” said Augenstein. “I’ve continued to chip well throughout the week, and then I’ve holed out really well. I didn’t putt as good in the second match against Ricky, but I putted very well against Akshay this morning. And then I kind of — I drove it better this afternoon for sure. This morning I kind of sprayed it a little bit and just found a way to win some holes. But game feels good. It’s been pretty good all week, so excited to go tomorrow.”
Augenstein’s appearance is the second in the U.S. Amateur quarterfinals by a Commodore in the last three years. Theo Humphrey advanced to the semifinals in the 2017 U.S. Amateur.
Augenstein will face off against Palmer Jackson in a match that begins at 2 p.m. Central time. Live coverage of the quarterfinals begins at 3 p.m. Central time on FS1.
