The University of Mississippi Athletics
Kyle Ellis Advances To Match Play At U.S. Amateur
8/21/2007 | Men's Golf
After two days of stroke play, the field of 312 golfers has been reduced to the lowest 64 scorers, who will compete for the oldest USGA championship. All matches are 18 holes except the final match. The 36-hole championship final match is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 26.
“This is a big accomplishment for me, especially at this level,” Ellis said. “I haven’t had a lot of experience at match play, but it is still golf. I am just playing one guy at a time. All I have to do is beat him one down.”
Ellis, who played the Ocean Course for his first round, took to the other course (
Teeing off on the back nine first, Ellis got off to a tough beginning, before re-grouping.
“I hit my first shot in the rough,” he said. I hacked it out and three-putted, so I was behind the eight ball from the start. I played 11, 12 and 13 (his 2nd, 3rd, and 4th holes) smart and pared all three. That got me back on track.
“But then I bogeyed 14 from the middle of the fairway. I hit a wedge over the green. I made another bogey on 17, which is probably the toughest hole on the course. Sitting at +4 for the tournament through 15 holes, Ellis made birdie on No. 7 (his 16th) and finished 1-under on the last five holes.
“It was kind of a struggle out there,” he said. “That’s a tough golf course. I was frustrated a little, but I knew I had a cushion from Monday. Overall I played well coming in. The last five holes I was solid.
The Senatobia native became the second consecutive Rebel to advance to match play. Chris Rogers, who completed his career with the Rebels this past season, reached match play in 2006 and before that, Jarrod Gardner made it in 2003.
“We are excited for Kyle to make it to match play,” head coach Ernest Ross said. “He struggled on his front nine yesterday, but it was great to see him battle back and finish strong. This will definitely help his confidence. Anything can happen in match play.”
The Olympic Club has hosted eight USGA championships. Included in the mix are four U.S. Opens and two U.S. Amateurs. It hosted the Open in 1955, 1966, 1987 and 1998. The Amateur was contested at Olympic in 1958 and 1981.
The Golf Channel will televise the first round of match play from 3-5 p.m. CT. To follow Ellis hole-by-hole during match play, go to www.olemisssports.com and click on the U.S. Amateur Championship link.
