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University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina's O'Connell Qualifies For U.S. Amateur
August 5, 2008 | Men's Golf
Aug. 5, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - University of North Carolina golfer Kevin O'Connell, from Cary, N.C., shot a second-round three-under-pr 69 to earn medalist honors at the U.S. Amateur Championship sectional qualifier in Midlothian, Va. The two days of qualifying concluded at Salisbury Country Club's Monacan and Buckingham nines (par 72, 7,992 yards) on Tuesday.
A rising sophomore at Carolina, O'Connell, an All-ACC performer and third-team All-America, opened with a competitive course record round of eight-under 64 to finish at 11-under 133 and qualify for the U.S. Amateur Championship for the first time.
The other two players to qualify out of the Midlothian qualifier were seven-time Virginia State Golf Association golfer of the year Keith Decker, 48, of Martinsville, Va., and 19-year-old Scott Saal of Virginia Beach, Va., a rising sophomore at William and Mary. Each delivered their second straight rounds of three-under 69 to claim the last two qualifying spots at six-under 138 and this also marks their first time of qualifying for the U.S. Amateur.
The U.S. Amateur Championship will be played August 18-24 at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C.
O'Connell's start mirrored the way much of Tuesday went, birdieing three of the first four holes, but he battled the putter during the middle of the second round and turned in even par for the day. An adjustment in his putting mechanics helped him record three birdies on the inward half, knocking in a 30-footer at the par-3 11th, draining a 25-footer at par-3 13th and holing an 8-footer at the par-4 15th.
"My ball-striking is typically always there," said O'Connell. "I found my putting stroke on the back nine and was able to close things out."
O'Connell admittedly has fond memories of Pinehurst, having advanced to the semifinals of the North- and South Amateur at the resort's famed No. 2 Course in early-July. He later posted a perfect record and garnered MVP honors representing the United States in the Fuji Xerox USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship at Tokyo Golf Club in mid-July.
Players Mentioned
