Australians eliminated at US Amateur Championship
Hayden Hopewell in action today – photo USGA
The two Australians who advanced to the match play phase of the US Amateur Championship in New Jersey have both been eliminated, Hayden Hopewell in the Round of 16 and Connor McKinney a few hours earlier in the Round of 32.
Hopewell, who survived a gripping first round match on Wednesday, was again locked in a tight battle in his Round of 32 encounter against American Ford Clegg, birdies at the 16th and 17th breaking him clear of a deadlock to win 2&1.
In his afternoon Round of 16 match-up against Californian, Stewart Hagestad, Hopewell recovered from losing the very first hole to be 1 up through 9 holes. The match was tied through 13 holes before the American drew clear when Hopewell bogeyed the 14th and 15th holes and although Hopewell won the 16th with a birdie, when Hagestad eagled the 17th he had won 2&1.
Australian Amateur Champion, McKinney, lost a close encounter against American Nathan Franks in the morning Round of 32, recovering from an early deficit to be 1 up through 15 holes.
Franks then won the 16th and 17th holes and when both bogeyed the last the American had won 1 up.
Connor McKinney during his morning match which he lost 1 down. – photo Kathryn Riley USGA
