Snedeker Advances in Match Play at U.S. Public Links Championship 7/16/03

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - In Wednesday's first-round match play competition at the 2003 U.S. Public Links Championship, Vanderbilt's Brandt Snedeker defeated Benjamin Kern (Tucson, Ariz.), 5 and 4. The U.S. Public Links Championship is being played at Blue Heron Pines' East Course (par 71, 7,127 yards) in Galloway Township, N.J.

Snedeker, who was seeded No. 2 in the 64-player field, got off to a quick start as he won the first and third holes to be 2-up after four holes. Kern then rebounded to win the fifth and sixth holes to bring the match back to all-square.

However, that was when Snedeker put the match away as he won five of the next seven holes. And with Snedeker ahead by five holes and four more holes to play, the match was called on the 14th green.

Snedeker will now face Ryan Moore (Puyallup, Wash.), who upset Zack King (Ventura, Calif.) Wednesday morning. Moore, who is the No. 34 seed, posted a 3 and 2 victory over the No. 31 seeded King.

Snedeker and Moore tee off in their second-round match at 7:42 a.m. Central.

The third round will immediately follow the second round Thursday afternoon with the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds Friday. The 36-hole final is scheduled for Saturday.

The U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, for bona fide public course players, is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

- VU -