PINEHURST, N.C. — Senior Andrew Lanahan and junior Chris Wells earned victories in their first round matches Wednesday to advance to the second round of the 105th North and South Amateur Championship at the famous Pinehurst No. 2.
The 24th-seeded Wells defeated No. 41 Tyler Brown of the University of North Florida, 3 and 2, while the 38th-seeded Lanahan escaped with a 1-up victory over No. 27 Dave Bunker of Ontario, Canada.
Wells won holes Nos. 2 and 3 to grab an early 2-up advantage and extended his lead to 5-up after 12 holes. He and Brown halved the 13th hole, and Wells headed into the 14th at dormie 5. Wells dropped the 14th after making bogey but halved holes 15 and 16 to win the match, 3 and 2.
“I missed a lot of greens out there today, more than I usually miss,” Wells said. “I did have my short game working for me though. My wedge game was good and I putted the ball pretty well.”
Lanahan also took an early advantage in his match by winning the first two holes, but gave up the lead by dropping holes 3 and 4. He and Bunker remained all square until Lanahan lost the 13th hole to go 1-down with five holes to play. He won the 16th hole with a par and halved the 17th to go all square heading into the final hole. Lanahan got up and down from just off the green to make par and win the match, 1-up.
“I felt like I played really well today,” Lanahan said. “I hit a lot of greens and putted the ball pretty well. I had Jeff Riemann (former LSU golfer) caddying for me, and he played in this tournament last year. He gave me some good advice and kept me loose.”
Wells and Lanahan agreed that playing their opponents was not the only challenge they had to face in the first round. The tournament is being played at the same course where Michael Campbell edged Tiger Woods to win the 2005 U.S. Open Championship in June.
“That’s a challenge that is unlike any other,” Lanahan said. “Chris and I were both talking about how there is no hole out there where you are licking your chops and are guaranteed to make birdie.
“You’re just looking to put the ball in the center of the green and give yourself the best chance to make a putt. Sometimes keeping it 40 feet from the hole is good. You just have to take your medicine and go to the next hole.”
Wells will face No. 9 Kyle Reifers of Columbus, Ohio, at 6:54 CDT in Thursday’s second round, while Lanahan will face No. 59 Eddie Peckels of Delray Beach, Fla., at 8:22 a.m. Should they advance, the third round will be played in the afternoon.