Three Clemson Golfers Qualify for US Amateur Match Play

Aug. 19, 2008

Clemson, SC – Clemson golfers Kyle Stanley, Sam Saunders and Jacob Burger all advanced to match play of the 2008 United States Amateur with solid qualifying rounds on Tuesday. The field of 64 golfers will play one round of match play on Wednesday at Pinehurst #2 in Pinehurst, NC.

This marks just the third time that at least three Clemson golfers have advanced to match play at the United States Amateur, the first time since 2001. In 2001, Lucas Glover, Matt Hendrix, D.J. Trahan and John Engler all reached match play at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. In 2000, Jonathan Byrd, Trahan and Glover all reached match play at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, NJ. All of those golfers went on to make the PGA Tour.

Stanley had a strong 68 on Pinehurst #2 on Tuesday and finished with a 138 score for the two days of stroke play qualifying.

Stanley had five birdies on Tuesday to match his five birdies on Monday. That score was good enough for fifth place out of the 312 golfers. Stanley entered the US Amateur as the fourth ranked amateur in the World according to Golfweek. Each of the top five amateurs in the rankings advanced to match play after Tuesdays round so it promises to be a strong field.

Burger was incredibly consistent for the two rounds and had scores of 71-69 for an even par 140 for the 36 holes. He had four birdies, 29 pars and just two bogeys on the two Pinehurst courses to finish in 10th place. It was to be his first day of school at Clemson on Wednesday, but the Orangeburg, SC freshman will have to wait at least one day to begin his Clemson academic career.

Saunders had failed to reach the match play portion of the event in his two previous trips to the United States Amateur (2004 and 2007). But, he made match play this year with a shot to spare after rounds of 71-73. Saunders had four birdies, 24 pars and eight bogeys over the two days and finished in a tie for 47th place.

Pairings for the first round of match play will not be determined until after a 26-person playoff for the last two spots.