JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — South Carolina junior Matt NeSmith lost to Sam Burns of Shreveport, La., 2 and 1, in the opening round of match play at the 114th U.S. Amateur Championship on Wednesday at the Atlanta Athletic Club’s Highlands Course.

NeSmith was 1 up through four holes, but the golfers made the turn at all square after Burns won the par-4 eighth and they halved the par-4 ninth. Burns went on to win three holes on the back nine to NeSmith’s one on his way to advancing to the round of 32.

Earlier in the morning, Gamecock senior Caleb Sturgeon narrowly missed advancing to match play as he fell in a playoff for the four spots that remained open after stroke play ended late Tuesday.

NeSmith, Sturgeon and senior Will Murphy were among 312 golfers who qualified for this year’s championship. The Gamecocks will now turn their focus to the 2014-15 season. Carolina will open the year at The Carmel Cup on Aug. 29-31. The 54-hole event will be held at the historic Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif.