PINEHURST, N.C. – A fast start once again did John Augenstein good at the U.S. Amateur, and the rising senior advanced to the semifinals with a 3&2 win over Palmer Jackson Friday at the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. Augenstein did not trail in his match Friday against Jackson and has not trailed in a match this week at the nation’s premiere amateur event.
Augenstein jumped on Jackson early after halving the first two holes, winning the third, fourth, and fifth holes to take a 3-up lead, a lead he would never relinquish. Jackson, a Notre Dame signee, battled back to win the eighth and ninth holes to close the Vanderbilt senior’s lead to one, but Augenstein recovered to close the match, winning holes 15 and 16 to take the match 3&2.
Augenstein’s appearance in the quarterfinals was the third consecutive appearance by a Commodore in the U.S. Amateur, joining Will Gordon in 2018 and Theo Humphrey in 2017. Vanderbilt is the only school in the nation to have players in the quarterfinals for the last three seasons. Humphrey advanced to the semifinals in 2017.
Augenstein and William Holcomb V will tee off at 1:35 p.m. Central time in the semifinals, with coverage beginning at 2 p.m. Central time on FS1.
Gordon Shoots Course Record 61 In Canada
Class of 2019 member Will Gordon fired an 11-under par 61 on Friday at the Players Cup on the MacKenzie Tour in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which set a new course record at the Southwood Golf and Country Club. Gordon moved up 92 spots from round one and is in a tie for fifth heading into the weekend. Fellow Commodores Theo Humphrey (T-42) and Patrick Martin (T-59) also made the cut at the Players Cup.
Schwab Moves Up Leaderboard in Czech Republic
Former Commodore star Matthias Schwab carded a 7-under par 65 on Friday at the Czech Masters in Prague and is in a tie for third heading into the weekend at the Albatross Golf Resort with a score of 9-under 235. His second-round 65 tied for the low round of the day. He trails leader Eduardo Molinari by three shots.
