July 13, 2009

U.S. Amateur Public Links Official Site

NORMAN, Okla. – South Carolina rising sophomore Wesley Bryan begins his quest for a USGA championship Monday as the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship is underway at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. Bryan joins 155 other individuals in 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying on Monday and Tuesday before match play begins on Wednesday.

Bryan, a native of Chapin, S.C., qualified for the championship by taking medalist honors in a 36-hole sectional qualifier at Black Rock Golf Club in Hagerstown, Md., on June 16. His score of 67-68=135 (-9) was among the best at any of the sectional qualifiers across the country as he took first place by five strokes.

Last year, Bryan advanced to the third round of match play at the USAPL at Murphy Creek Golf Club in Aurora, Colo., before falling to eventual runner-up John Chin, 3 and 2. He defeated Brad Nicholson in the first round, 2 and 1, then took down Kevin Foley in the second round, 4 and 3. He was the 21st seed heading into match play after 36 holes at even par in the qualifying rounds.

Bryan is paired with Quinnipiac graduate Craig Cyr (Concord, N.H.) and George Mason graduate Mike Kirby (Falls Church, Va.). The threesome will tee off at 1:55 p.m. Monday and 8:55 a.m. Tuesday.

The Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club is playing at 7,289 yards and par 71. Fans can follow the championship through usapl.org.