Lee moves into US Amateur Quarterfinals

LEE MOVES INTO US AMATEUR QUARTERFINALS

OSU’s Eric Lee fought off some familiar foes on Thursday while advancing to the quarterfinals at the 125th US Amateur Championship at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.

The California native took on the same final two opponents he faced in the NCAA semifinals and championship match at La Costa in June.

Lee needed an extra hole back then to beat Cohen Trolio of Ole Miss to earn the clinching point for the Cowboys to move into the title match. This time Lee dominated the front 9 and cruised to a 6 and 5 victory.

In the round of 16, Lee went head-to-head with Josh Duangmanee of Virginia. The two battled in the NCAA final before Lee clinched the national title for OSU with a close win. Thursday held more of the same as Lee chipped in front of a difficult spot off the 17th green to take a 1-up lead, and after Duangmanee found trouble on 1,8, the match went to Lee 2-up.

STOUT CLIPPED IN THE AFTERNOON

OSU’s Preston Stout, the top seed, was eliminated by Niall Shiels Donegan in the round of 16 in a back-and-forth match. Donegan got hot late to go 1-up and made a birdie putt on 17 that forced Stout to match his effort. The Cowboy drained his birdie putt, but couldn’t win 18 and Donegan moves on 2 and 1.

JOHN DALY II EARNING ATTENTION

His dad has made plenty of headlines during his long career, but now John Daly II is turning heads with his play. The Arkansas Razorback moved into the quarterfinals with two wins on Thursday, the last a 3 and 2 decision over Daniel Bennett.

Daly II will play Mason Howell in the quarters on Friday at 4:00 p.m. Central time. Lee faces the young phenom Myles Russell at 4:15 p.m.