APL quarters prove quick work for Final 4: Campus Insider: Golf Digest

APL quarters prove quick work for Final 4

Friday, July 1, 2011 Comments

BANDON, Ore.—The four U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship semifinalists didn't waste much time taking case of business during their Friday morning quarterfinal matches at Bandon Dunes' Old Macdonald course.

Medalist Corbin Mills took out the last remaining Oregon native in the field, Andrew Viajarro, 4 and 3, winning the third hole with a birdie and never giving his opponent a chance to get back in the match.

Mills faces recent Georgia graduate Harris English, who was 2 down to J.J. Spaun through 11 holes but won four of the next six to claim the match, 2 up, punctuated by a birdie on the 17th hole. English made it to the quarterfinals in this event last year.

Jonathan Randolph, a former All-American at Mississippi who is staying amateur this summer in hopes of grabbing a Walker Cup spot, made a move in the direction with a 5-and-3 victory over Todd Baek in their semifinal match. Randolph played in last year's Palmer Cup and British Amateur at Murifield, giving him a chance to experience links golf before coming to the APL.

"I feel fairly comfortable out here," said Randolph, who has yet to have a match extend beyond the 15th hole. "It hasn't been as easy as it looks."

Randolph next plays Derek Ernst, who knocked off Daniel Miernicki in the last quarterfinal match, 6 and 4. Ernst made his second eagle on a par 4 in match-play competition on the par-4 ninth Friday morning at Old Macdonald. He also made a double eagle earlier in the week in his opening match when he holed out his tee shot on the par-4 eighth at Bandon Trails.