News

APL quarters prove quick work for Final 4

July 01, 2011

__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.