Snedeker in Final Eight at U.S. Public Links Championship 7/18/03

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Vanderbilt's Brandt Snedeker is one of the final eight participants in the 2003 U.S. Public Links Championship after sweeping his second and third round matches Thursday. 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 is seeded No. 2 in the 64-player field, began his day by defeating the event's defending champion Ryan Moore (Puyallup, Wash.), 4 and 3. Moore, who was the No. 34 seed, claimed the early lead as he took the 1-up advantage after the first hole. Moore then widened his lead to 2-up after the fifth hole and then after the eighth hole.

But just as he did in his first-round match, Snedeker put together a mid-round surge. Snedeker went on to win the next five holes and six of seven holes as he took the 4 and 3 victory over Moore in commanding fashion.

The Nashville native then turned his attention towards his third-round match with No. 15 seed Brendan Steele (Idyllwild, Calif.). On paper, Snedeker had an easier time with Steele as he never trailed in the match.

Snedeker won holes one and three to take the early 2-up lead. After dropping one hole to Steele at the fourth, Snedeker moved back to a 2-up advantage after the eighth hole. He then dropped another hole on No. 12, but rebounded to win holes 15 and 16 to claim the win, 3 and 2.

Snedeker will now face No. 7 seed Brady Stockton (San Ramon, Calif.), who defeated Roger Fine (Carrollton, Texas) and John Cassidy (Yelm, Wash.) Thursday. Snedeker and Stockton tee off in their quarterfinal match at 6:50 a.m. Central.

The semifinal round will immediately follow the quarterfinal round Friday afternoon with the 36-hole final 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 -