China’s Fang Stays on Course to Emulate Ding

Charleston, South Carolina, United States: China’s Fang Zeqian stayed on course to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Ding Wenyi at the US Junior Amateur Championship.

Last year, Ding became the first male golfer from the People’s Republic of China to claim a USGA championship when he defeated American Caleb Surratt, 3&2, in the 36-hole championship match at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Following victories over Americans Jack Roberts and Hunter Stetson on Thursday, 18-year-old Fang is through to the quarter-finals in the 75th edition of the championship.

In the last eight at the par-72, 7,236-yard Daniel Island Club (Ralston Creek Course), Fang will face New Zealand’s Joshua Bai, who ousted Australian Joseph Buttress in the Round of 16 by a 2&1 margin.

Both Bai and Buttress had won sudden-death play-offs against American opponents in their Thursday morning matches. Bai edged past Boston Bracken at the 21st hole with a 10-foot birdie putt, while Buttress overcame Bo Carpenter where a par at the 22nd hole proved decisive.

In a tense morning clash with Roberts that was all square after 15, Fang made a decisive move by claiming the 16th hole with a bogey to edge in front. The final two holes were halved.

It was on the final stretch in the afternoon that Fang came to life against Stetson. With five holes remaining the contest was all square. Fang then went into over-drive, winning 13, 14, 16 and 17 to ease through 3&1.

Bowing out after brave performances were Thailand’s Pongsapak Laopakdee and Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chi-chun.

Having beat Puerto Rican Kelvin Hernandez one-up in the Round of 32, Ponsapak faced off with American Edan Cui in the afternoon, eventually losing out on the 21st hole.

After making a 12-foot uphill putt to close out the match, Cui, who advanced to match play in his first Junior Amateur last year, said: “I knew there was a little bit of luck in that, but I mean, to go this far and to be able to say I’m like top eight right now in the US Junior, that's incredible.”

Meanwhile, Chen pushed medallist and number one seed Tommy Morrison all the way in the Round of 32, losing one-down.