Schmitz Moves on to Match Play at U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship

  VERO BEACH, Fla. – Returning to his third U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship after a two-year absence, Sammy Schmitz carded an even par 143 during the first two rounds of stroke play to advance to the match play portion of the championship Monday at John’s Island Club.

Schmitz opened the championship with an even par 71 Saturday on the North Course before firing a 72 Sunday on the West Course.

During the second round Sunday, Schmitz rolled in birdie at the par-5 fourth hole before carding a pair of bogeys at the fifth and sixth holes. Schmitz, Farmington, Minn., finished his front nine with back-to-back birdies at the seventh and eighth holes to move to 1-under for the championship.

Trading a bogey with a birdie to open the back nine Sunday, Schmitz completed his second round by making bogey at the par-4 15th holes to finish the first two rounds tied for seventh at even par 143.

Schmitz advances to the Round of 64 beginning Monday following a playoff to determine the final two spots for match play.

Michael Christensen, Minneapolis, Minn., finished the first two rounds of stroke play at 7-over par 150, to miss the cut for match play by one shot.

Minnesota Golf Association Mid-Amateur champion, Joe McCormick of Hutchinson, Minn., fired a two-day total of 11-over par 154 to miss the cut, while Joel B. Johnson, Hugo, Minn., carded a 15-over par 158.

Noah Lawson, Blaine, Minn., finished the opening rounds of stroke play at 16-over par 159 to miss the cut.


For complete tournament results go to: www.usga.org/championships/2015/u-s--mid-amateur/scoring.html