A Late Birdie Sends Schmitz Through to Round of 32 at U.S. Mid-Amateur

  VERO BEACH, Fla. – A birdie on the 14th hole Monday would give Sammy Schmitz a 1-up lead and he would go on to win his opening round match to advance to the Round of 32 at the 2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at John’s Island Club.

Schmitz carded an even par 143 to finish tied for seventh during the stroke play portion of the tournament, drawing an eighth seed to face Clint Provost during the first round of match play Monday.

Provost took the early lead by winning the second hole, but Schmitz answered by winning the next four to quickly take a 3-up lead through six holes.

Provost kept pace with Schmitz by winning three straight holes to even the match before claiming his first lead of the day after winning the 11th hole.

Schmitz, Farmington, Minn., evened the match on the ensuing hole with a par and would roll in his birdie chance at the par-5 14th to regain a slim lead.

Both players would halve Nos. 15 and 16 with pars and the 17th with birdies before Provost was unable to roll in his birdie putt on the final hole as Schmitz clinched the match, 1-up.

Schmitz now faces Joe Alfieri, Lutz, Fla., during the Round of 32 Tuesday, scheduled to begin at 7:50 a.m. at John's Island Club.


For complete tournament results go to: