Aug. 8, 2006

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>North Plains, Ore. – South Carolina women’s golf standout Jenna Pearson advanced to the match play portion at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship in after hitting three-over-par in the second round with a score of 77-74=151 at the event, played in North Plains, Ore.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

The tournament is set up such that there are two days of stroke play qualifying to determine exactly the 64 players who will make it to match play. Pearson’s play places her in a tie at No. 60 with her opponent to be announced.

Pearson turned in a much better performance than her first round scores on both the front and back nines. She posted five pars to go with a birdie on the number four to put her at two-over at the turn. She stayed solid on the back nine, posting only two bogeys. A two-shot birdie on number 12 leveled her score at one-over for the back nine.

Match play will begin Wednesday with Pearon’s opponent to be announced. The leader at three-under 69-70=139 is Paige Mackenzie of Yakima, Wash.

Television coverage will begin with the first round of match play on Wednesday and can be seen on The Golf Channel beginning at 7 p.m. Subsequent rounds will also be televised on The Golf Channel at 7 p.m. on successive days.