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U.S. Amateur Public Links: Match play underway, follow live scores
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by Jack Persons

NEWTON, Kan. (July 15, 2014) -- Four players tied for medalist honors on Tuesday at the U.S. Amateur Public Links.

Byron Meth, Doug Ghim, Rico Hoey, and Zane Thomas all posted eight-under 134 in the stroke play portion of the event to become the final USAPL medalists.

Meth, a rising senior at the University of the Pacific, shot a second consecutive four-under 67 on Tuesday at Sand Creek Station Golf Course to grab a share of the lead. He mixed in birdies at five, six, nine, and 10, along with 14 pars to make a bogey-free day.

“I played really steady rounds the last two days,” Meth said in an interview with the USGA. “The ultimate goal was just to get into match play, but obviously I’m honored to be the last medalist at the Pub Links.”Ghim, an incoming freshman at Texas, fired a blazing six-under 65 to follow up his first-round 69, but it could have been lower. Had he not bogeyed his last hole of the day, he would have taken medalist honors and the top seed outright. Still, seven birdies and a single bogey is no small feat.

One player beat out Ghim for the lowest round of the day: Rico Hoey. The USC rising sophomore, who shot even-par 71 in the first round, played near-perfect golf on Tuesday to tie for first, as he made seven birdies and no bogeys on his way to 64. Amazingly, none of his birdies came on par- fives.

Zane Thomas of UNLV rounds out the medalist contingent, and was the only first-round leader to end up as medalist. Thomas started hot on Tuesday, making five birdies and no bogeys in his first 10 holes, but fell back with three bogeys in a five hole stretch on the back. He rebounded on the last with a birdie to post three-under 68 for a 134 total and sneak into the T1 position.

Thomas’ co-first round leaders Michael Colgate and Garrett Rank both followed up their five- under 66s with four-over 75s and ended up tied for 17th, seven strokes back of the medalists.

Jordan Niebrugge had a tough start to his title defense, as he shot 72-74=146 to tie for 46th, well back of the leaders and only a stroke under the cut line.

The cut ended up at five-over 147, and 11 players went into a playoff for seven spots. Joshua Lee of Florida State and Andrej Bevins of New Mexico were two of the notables to survive the playoff for the final match play seeds.

Thomas will be the top seed when the round of 64 begins on Wednesday, and will face Lee. For results and live scoring, follow the link below.

--Photo courtesy of USGA

Results: U.S. Amateur Public Links
WinCAByron MethSan Diego, CA1000
Runner-upILDoug GhimArlington Heights, IL700
SemifinalsKSMichael GellermanSterling, KS500
SemifinalsTXJess BonneauCypress, TX500
QuarterfinalsCARico HoeyRancho Cucamonga, CA400

View full results for U.S. Amateur Public Links

ABOUT THE U.S. Amateur Public Links

The U.S. Amateur Public Links is one of 13 national championships conducted by the USGA. It is designed for players who do not have playing privileges at a private club. See USGA website for details and complete description of eligibility requirements.

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