University of Illinois senior and percy native Zach Barlow won his first-round match at the 109th U.S. Amateur on Wednesday at Southern Hills in Tulsa. Barlow defeated Walker Cup participant Nathan Smith of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to advance to Thursday morning’s second round.
Barlow will meet second-seed Mark Anderson of Beaufort, South Carolina Thursday morning while the round of 16 is Thursday afternoon.
Barlow was in a 12-way tie for 20th through stroke play, but got the 31st seed in the 64-man field. He fell behind Smith by three holes through six before picking up steam midway through the round. Barlow won holes 7, 10, 12, 13, and 14 to take firm control of the match.
“After the start I had, I just wanted to try hang in there and get it together,” Barlow said. “Nathan is a great Walker Cup player and it was a great match.”
Barlow credits 12 as the turning point in the match. He made a long par putt while Smith three putted for bogey making the match all square.
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