Stanley Advances to Second Round of United States Amateur

Aug. 22, 2007

Clemson, SC-Clemson sophomore Kyle Stanley defeated Jon Bettencourt of Fresno, CA 5 & 3 on Wednesday in the first round of the United States Amateur match play championship. Stanley now advances to the second round on Thursday. The event is being played at the par 70 Olympic Club in San Francisco, CA.

Stanley is the first Clemson golfer to advance to the second round in the match play portion of the championship since Gregg Jones reached the Sweet 16 in 2003 in Pittsburgh, PA. That year, Jones defeated Brandt Snedeker of Vanderbilt in the first round 4 & 3, the defeated Tom Glissmeyer in the second round 7 & 6 before losing to Lee Williams in the third round. Snedeker won the PGA Tour event in Greensboro last weekend.

Stanley continued his solid play on Wednesday. He was four-under par for his 15 holes, as he had five birdies and just one bogey. Stanley won the first hole with a birdie on the par five that is 533 yards in length. He also gained victory on the fourth and seventh holes, but lost the second and ninth hole. He had a 1-up lead after the front nine.

Stanley then started strong on the back nine, making birdies to win on holes 10,11 and 13. He hit his tee shot to within five feet of the pin on the par three 13th hole. He closed out the match on the par three 15th hole with another birdie.

The Clemson All-American who was named ACC Player of the Year as a freshman, is seeded ninth in the field after shooting an even par score of 140 for the 36 hole stroke play qualifier. Stanley will play the winner of the Davis McDaniel vs. James Sacheck match in the second round on Thursday morning.

The Golf Channel is televising the event and will have a broadcast starting at 6:30 PM on Thursday with third round coverage. Live scoring of the event can be followed on usga.org.