Indiana University Athletics
Overton Advances to Quarterfinals at U.S. Amateur
8/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Mamaroneck, N.Y. - Jeff Overton won his second match of the day and third in the last two days to advance to the quarterfinals at the 104th U.S. Amateur Championships. Indiana's top golfer defeated Georgia Tech senior Nicholas Thompson, 3 and 2, securing a spot in the final eight.
"We are all thrilled Jeff has made it to the final eight. We are all very pleased with his performance and look forward to him winning it all," said Indiana head coach Mike Mayer.
Overton will face former St. John's standout Andy Svoboda, who defeated Tyler Docking, 3 and 2, at 12:30 p.m. (EDT) on Friday afternoon with a berth in the final four on the line.
After downing former Villanova golfer John Keller, 5 and 4, in his morning match, Overton continued his momentum into the afternoon against a very difficult opponent. The second team All-American took the first three holes, recording three straight pars coupled with three consecutive Thompson bogeys.
The senior extended his lead to 4-up with a birdie on the par-5, 515-yard fifth hole. Thompson came back to take No. 6, but Overton pushed his lead back to 4-up on the seventh.
Overton's lead remained at 4-up when the Evansville, Ind., native birdied the par-3 10th to build an insurmountable 5-up advantage.
Thompson forged ahead with one final surge, winning the next three holes, but Overton was too strong. He moved his lead back to 3-up following a par and Thompson bogey at No. 14, and the duo played even the final two holes, with Overton closing out the match with a par-saving putt at 16.
"Talking with Jeff, he is very confident," said Mayer. "He understands match play more and more every time he plays. He has a good understanding what it takes to win this event."
Overton will need that confidence against Svoboda. The Stamford, Conn., native finished tied for fifth in stroke play with a two-round, 3-over-par 143 total. The winner of the match will move on to the semifinals and take on the winner of the Ryan Moore vs. Jason Hartwick match-up on Saturday.
Highlights and complete coverage of Overton's quarterfinal match can be seen on ESPN2 from 2-4 p.m. on Friday. Below is a look at the complete match play television schedule:
ESPN2 MATCH PLAY TELEVISION SCHEDULE
Quarterfinals - Friday, Aug. 20, 2-4 p.m. (EDT)
Semifinals - Saturday Aug., 21, 4-6 p.m. (EDT)
Championship - Sunday Aug., 22, 3-5 p.m. (EDT)
