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University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina's O'Connell Leads First Day Of U.S. Amateur Qualifier
August 4, 2008 | Men's Golf
Aug. 4, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - University of North Carolina golfer Kevin O'Connell, from Cary, N.C., shot a competitive course rrecord of eight-under-par 64 to pace the first day of 36-hole sectional qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Champeionship. The qualifier is being played at Salisbury Country Club's Monacan and Buckingham nines on Monday.
A rising sophomore at Carolina, O'Connell delivered one of six rounds in the 60s during the first day of qualifying. Scott Marino, from Fairfax, Va., is three strokes behind O'Connell at five-under 67. Virginia Tech's Nicholas MacDonald and Florida's Will Strickler are in third place at four-under 68.
Following the first round of qualifying, the 80-player starting field was reduced to 26 competitors with scores of one-over-par 73 or better for the final day of qualifying at Salisbury on Tuesday. Three spots are available in this qualifier for the national championship, scheduled for Aug. 18-24 at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C.
O'Connell, an All-ACC performer and third-team All-America, has fond memories of the Salisbury layout, having won an American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) event at the club in 2004, triumphing in a playoff.
Except for the heat, he didn't have to sweat as much on Monday, posting a bogey-free round which included eight birdies. After turning in four under, O'Connell birdied four of the final six holes, knocking in putts of 12 and 10 feet at Nos. 13 and 14. He holed a 6-footer for birdie at No. 17 and completed the strong ball-striking round by drilling a 5-iron to 5 feet to set up a closing birdie.
O'Connell played the layout's four par 5s in four under and missed just two greens in the first day of qualifying, converting routine up and downs on both occasions.
"When you don't have to stress for par, it makes it easier," said O'Connell, who posted a perfect record and garnered MVP honors while representing the United States in the Fuji Xerox USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship at Tokyo Golf Club in mid-July. "I'm certainly pleased. It was a pretty stress-free, solid day."
O'Connell shot under par in previous attempts at qualifying for three straight years at Oak Valley Golf Club in Advance, N.C., but narrowly missed reaching the U.S. Amateur on each occasion before opting for a new qualifying site this year.
"In this day and age, you can't go low enough," he said.
O'Connell will begin his second day of qualifying Tuesday morning at 8:50. He will be paired with Marino and MacDonald.
Players Mentioned
