Harman Takes Lead Midway Through Second Round

At 2003 U.S. Junior Amateur

Chevy Chase , Md. – Brian Harman, 16, of Savannah, Ga., shot a 2-under-par 68 Tuesday to take the lead midway through the second round of stroke play at the 2003 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at the 6,575-yard, par-70 Columbia Country Club.

Harman, who had five birdies and three bogeys in his round, is at 1-under-par 139 for the two days of stroke play. At the 2002 Junior Amateur at Atlanta (Ga.) Athletic Club, Harman was leading eventual champion Charlie Beljan by two holes with three to play in the match-play quarterfinals, but eventually lost in 21 holes. He came to this year’s championship focused.

“I had my heart broken last year,” said Harman. “I want to win.”

Harman is in good shape to become the stroke-play medalist, but he doesn’t consider that a high priority.

“As long as you get into match play, that’s all that’s important,” he said. “I’ve seen way too many number one seeds get beaten early.”

The morning’s low round was shot by Matt Savage, 16, of Louisville, Ky., who came back from an opening-round 83 to shoot a 4-under-par 66 Tuesday. Savage’s 66 tied Columbia Country Club’s competitive course record, held by five people, including former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman.

“I knew I could play this course and I really didn’t have much to lose,” said Savage.

The highlight of Savage’s round was at the par 4, 325-yard 7th hole, where he holed out from 100 yards with a sand wedge for eagle. Savage will have to wait for the afternoon action to complete to see if he makes the cut to match play.

One competitor who should safely make match play is Greg Carlin, 17, of Kensington, Md., a member at Columbia Country Club, who shot an opening-round 75 but had an even-par 70 in the second round.

First-round leader Patton Kizzire, 17, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., teed off at 1:48 p.m. Webb Simpson, 17, of Raleigh, N.C., and Sung Hoon Kang, 16, of Korea , both one shot off the pace after the first day, also played in the afternoon.

After the second round of stroke play is completed Tuesday, the U.S. Junior Amateur field will be reduced to 64 players for match play. The first round of match play is scheduled for Wednesday, the second and third rounds will be played Thursday, the quarterfinal and semifinal matches are on Friday, and the 18-hole championship final is scheduled for Saturday, July 26.

The Junior Amateur is one of 13 championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association each year, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

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