CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, Colo. – A day after some extra-hole magic kept two Virginia golfers alive at the U.S. Amateur Championship, the Hoos could not repeat those performances during Friday’s play.
Cavalier sophomore Ben James (Milford, Conn.) was eliminated in the quarterfinals in 19 holes by Florida sophomore Parker Bell. UVA junior Paul Chang (People’s Republic of China) resumed his Round of 16 match Friday morning after it was suspended due to darkness Thursday. On the first extra hole, Auburn’s John Marshall Butler picked up the 19 hole victory.
James’ play was the farthest he has advanced at the U.S. Amateur in three showings. With Bell leading 2Up after 15 holes, James won holes 16 and 17 to square the match. James made birdie on No. 16 and eagle on No. 17 to grab the momentum in the match. After both players recorded par on the 18th hole, Bell hit a birdie putt on the 19th hole to move on to the semifinals.
There it is! @UVAMensGolf‘s Ben James runs one in at a crucial time, now 1 down with 2 to play. #USAmateur pic.twitter.com/lbUSmk0Q5m
— USGA (@USGA) August 18, 2023
Birdie in 16… EAGLE ON 17! 🐥 🦅@UVAMensGolf‘s Ben James in full comeback mode, now tied with Parker Bell heading to 18. #USAmateur pic.twitter.com/3FNHK98BCK
— USGA (@USGA) August 18, 2023
Chang was the Cinderella story of the tournament. A member of the UVA club golf team the past two years, he was invited onto the varsity squad by head coach Bowen Sargent this summer. The U.S. Amateur was the second USGA championship event he qualified for this year. He previously played in the Men’s Four Ball Championship.
Virginia will open its 2023-24 schedule on Sept. 9 when the Cavaliers play at the Valero Intercollegiate in San Antonio, Texas.
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