July 26, 2005

AIKEN, S.C. – University of South Carolina golfer Warren Thomas (Columbia, S.C.) finished as the second alternate for the United States Amateur Championship on Monday at the U.S. Amateur Qualifier played at the Woodside Plantation Jones Course in Aiken, S.C. Thomas, who tied for seventh in the event, won a three-man playoff to clinch the second alternate spot after firing a 74-66=140.

Thomas tied for the best second round of any player in the field with a 66 on Monday. He won the playoff by making par on the first hole. A total of 123 players started the competition, vying for five qualifying spots and the two alternate positions. The field was cut to the low 38 and ties after the first round. Fifty-one players made the cut at three over par 75.

The United States Amateur Championship will be played at Merion Golf Club located in Ardmore, Pa., Aug. 22-28. The 2005 field will consist of both exempt players and players qualifying at regional sites.

Thomas, who attended Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, competed in six tournaments for the Gamecocks as a true freshman in 2004-05.

U.S. Amateur Qualifier(Woodside Plantation - The Jones Course - Aiken, S.C. - July 24-25)Stephen Poole (Spartanburg,SC)62-71=133
George Bryan (Chapin,SC)70-67=137
 Dane Burkhart (Aiken,SC)65-72=137
Mark Harrell (Hazlehurst,GA)72-66=138
Tanner Ervin (Mount Pleasant,SC)69-70=139
Alternates1stDustin Johnson (Myrtle Beach,SC)69-70=139
2ndWarren Thomas (Columbia,SC)74-66=140