Aug. 12, 2014

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — South Carolina junior Matt NeSmith clinched a spot in match play at the 114th U.S. Amateur Championship on Tuesday after firing a 2-under 69 at the Atlanta Athletic Club’s Highlands Course in the final round of stroke play.

NeSmith wrapped up stroke play tied for 43rd with a 36-hole total of 144 (+1) to become one of 64 golfers to advance to match play. He is seeded 60th and will face No. 5 seed Sam Burns of Shreveport, La., on Wednesday at 10:40 a.m.

The final four spots in match play are still up for grabs, and Gamecock senior Caleb Sturgeon is one of 17 golfers who will play in a playoff for those spots on Wednesday. The playoff will begin at 8 a.m. and will take place on the first, eighth and ninth holes of the Riverside Course. Sturgeon posted a 71 (-1) on Tuesday to finish tied for 61st with a total of 145 (+2).

A native of North Augusta, S.C., NeSmith carded a bogey-free 35 (-1) on his front nine before playing through an up and down back nine. He birdied three of his first five holes on the back side but then made back-to-back bogeys to fall close to the cut line. However, he birdied the par-4 eighth and made par on No. 9 to secure a spot in the round of 64.

Sturgeon, a native of Laurens, S.C., recorded just one bogey on the day and came into the clubhouse playing his best golf, posting a bogey-free 34 (-2) on the back nine.

Carolina senior Will Murphy turned in a round of 77 (+5) to miss the cut with a total of 150 (+7).

Live scoring for Wednesday’s matches will be available at usga.org.