Calm An Progresses After Comeback Victory

Michigan, United States: Korean An Seong-hyeon produced a brilliant recovery to surge into the Round of 32 at the 76th US Junior Amateur Championship.

Winner of last week’s R&A Junior Boys’ Open in Scotland, An appeared in danger of elimination in the first round of match play at Oakland Hills Country Club when he lost the opening three holes of his encounter with American Luke Mosley to birdies.

But An showed no signs of panic, halving the fourth and then winning the next four holes. He reached the turn with a one-up lead and extended his advantage early on the back nine, eventually closing out a 4&2 success.

An is one of six Asia-Pacific players through to the Round of 32, being joined by New Zealand’s Joshua Bai, last year’s runner-up, Vietnam’s Nguyen Anh Minh and the Chinese trio of Chang Xihuan, Wang Yixiang and Wang Zihao.

Members of last year’s triumphant Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) team that defeated the European Golf Association in the Ryder Cup-style Bonallack Trophy in Spain, Bai and Anh Minh continued their excellent form.

Bai jumped to a two-up lead after two holes and never trailed against American Brayden Miller, posting a 3&2 win.

Anh Minh also enjoyed a fast start in his contest with American Parker Sands, racing into a three-up lead through eight holes. Like Bai, he was never behind, closing out a comfortable 5&3 success.

Chang Xihuan, 57th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, advanced by beating American Ayden Fynaut, 4&3. Chang has won two China Golf Association (CLPGA) events this year and finished runner-up at the China Amateur Open.

His compatriots Wang Yixiang and Wang Zihao also ousted American opponents in the Round of 64.

Both had to dig deep to progress with Yixiang trailing most of the way against Owen Prewitt. After drawing all square at the 13th, Yixiang went ahead for the first time with a winning par on 17. Another par proved good enough to halve the 18th, giving him a tense one-up victory.

Zihao’s clash with Mason Howell followed a similar pattern with the China player taking the lead for the first time on the 14th hole. He followed up by winning 15 and prevailed 3&2.

In the Round of 32, to be held on Thursday morning, all six Asia-Pacific representatives face American opposition.

While An is up against Edan Cui, Anh Minh takes on Brady Smith, Bai clashes with CJ Winchenbaugh and Chang, Wang Yixiang and Wang Zihao do battle with William Lisle, Kihei Akina and Owen Coniaris respectively.

Four of the Asia-Pacific contingent who made it through the 36-hole stroke play segment at the start of the week, bowed out in the Round of 64.

New Zealander Zack Swanwick fell to Billy Davis 4&3, while China’s Li Zhengda and Zhou Ziqin lost 2&1 to Jay Leng and 6&5 to Josiah Hakala respectively. Chinese Taipei’s Chen Hsuan-yi, who survived a 13-for-nine play-off to reach match play, suffered a 6&5 thrashing at the hands of Ukranian Lev Grinberg.

On his way to victory, Grinberg carded an albatross on the par-five 12th, holing a five-iron from 242 yards. It was only the second double-eagle in US Junior Amateur championship history.