McCurdy eliminated in round of 16 at U.S. Women's Amateur

FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas junior Amanda McCurdy won her opening round match six-and-five but was eliminated from the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 20 holes in the afternoon session at the Settindown Creek Course in Roswell, Ga., Thursday. "Amanda played solidly," said Arkansas head coach Kelley Hester, who is in the gallery. "Her first opponent struggled a bit so it really didn’t take Amanda’s best golf to win. Amanda only missed one green and did what she had to and closed out early. That was a benefit for the long day ahead." After downing Amy Schmucker of Cold Springs, Minn., six-and-five, McCurdy had to use every hole and then some to challenge Jennie Lee in the second match of the day. Lee led for much of the match until McCurdy birdied the par-four 15th to square things. The score remained even through the 16th and McCurdy grabbed her first lead over Lee with a one-under two on the 17th hole. Lee managed to par the 18th and McCurdy had a shot to win it but bogeyed the hole to remain tied. Both Lee and McCurdy carded identical fives on the par-five, 546-yard first hole as the duo made the turn for their 19th hole of the round. They moved on to the 20th hole where Lee sank her birdie putt to eliminate McCurdy. In her first match of the day, McCurdy allowed opponent Amy Schmucker of Cold Spring, Minn., to stay square through the first two holes before making her move on the third hole. McCurdy birdied three going one up, went up two on the fifth and up four on the sixth after back-to-back bogeys by Schmucker. One of Arkansas’ career-best golfers, McCurdy extended her lead to four on the seventh carding a two on the par three and went five up on the eighth with a par while Schmucker again bogeyed. McCurdy put the match away on the 13th hole going six up with five holes to play in one of the largest margins of victory in the 32-player field. Nannette Hill also won big going nine up with eight to play in the morning round. McCurdy’s week began Monday when she opened stroke play with a first round four-over 76. She bettered that mark considerably with a three-under 69 on Tuesday finishing in a tie for 10th and making the field of 64. McCurdy defeated Marlowe Boukis four-and-three on Wednesday to stay alive in the bracket play. The Lady Razorback senior-to-be has traditionally played well in match play conditions, reaching the finals of this event last year. McCurdy found herself down three late in the match but made a big comeback and had a chance to tie on the 18th hole. The runner-up finish earned McCurdy an entry into the U.S. Women’s Open in Cherry Hills, Colo., where she finished tied for 38th overall. Tune in and catch McCurdy’s play on The Golf Channel this week. The Golf Channel will air match-play round from 3:00-5:00 p.m., Central. For more information about Arkansas golf log on to LADYBACKS.COM.

105th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship

Amanda McCurdy, El Dorado, Ark. def. Amy Schmucker, Cold Spring, Minn. (6 and 5)

Jennie Lee, Huntington Beach, Calif. def. Amanda McCurdy, El Dorado, Ark. (20 holes)