Peter Uihlein advances in U.S. Amateur

Peter Uihlein during last year's championship run in the U.S. Amateur. Photo courtesy of McClatchy-Tribune News Services.

Former IMG Academies standout Peter Uihlein is one step closer to etching his name into the same record books as golfer's like the legendary Bobby Jones and Tiger Woods.

Uihlein crushed South Africa's Dylan Frittelli 5-and-4 in the round of 32 matches at the 111th United States Amateur on Thursday. Uihlein, a rising senior at Oklahoma State University, is the defending champion and is trying to become the first player to win back-to-back titles in the event since Woods completed a three-peat from 1994 to 1996.

Jones accomplished the feat twice, winning in 1924-25 and 1927-29.

Uihlein took his first lead on the seventh hole and didn't look back against Frittelli, winning five consecutive holes - Nos. 7-11 - before closing the match out on No. 14 at Wisconsin's Erin Hills layout.

Uihlein is an honorary member at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch and visits Manatee County on occasion for some tune-ups with IMG Leadbetter Golf Academy director David Whelan, who also teaches the LPGA Tour's Paula Creamer, LET rookie Jaclyn Sweeney and Nationwide Tour and former PGA Tour player Casey Wittenberg.

Uihlein tees off at 7:40 a.m. (local time) on Friday, and will face a difficult opponent in his attempt to book a quarterfinal spot for later that afternoon. Uihlein's opponent is Scott Langley, who recorded a 4-and-3 victory over Canada's Mitch Sutton.

Langley wrapped up his collegiate career at Illinois last spring and claimed the NCAA Individual Championship in 2010.

Area players miss on U.S. Amateur qualifying

No area players advanced from the four Florida qualifying sites for entry into this year's United States Amateur, which took place across the state in the past week.

Chris Kennedy came the closest.

The Cardinal Mooney alum and Lakewood Ranch resident fired a final round 71, but his first-round 75 left him with a 146 total and two shots out of the final qualifying berth.

Kennedy played his qualifier at Cypress Run Golf Club in Tarpon Springs, and only two berths were up for grabs. Players finishing at 145 had a playoff for the first and second alternate spots.

The U.S. Amateur has sort of called Bradenton home the past two years, as Ben An and Peter Uihlein once lived here.

An won the title in 2009 and Uihlein triumphed in 2010.

Pan falls back; Grillo and Kennedy charge at Southern Amateur

Cheng-Tsung Pan shot his second consecutive 73 to fall seven shots off the lead at the 105th Southern Amateur on Friday.

The IMG alum and University of Washington rising sophomore had a share of the first-round lead following a 67 on the famed par-71 Copperhead Course at Palm Harbor's Innisbrook Resort.

While Pan slipped into a tie for 14th, Emiliano Grillo and Chris Kennedy improved on their first two rounds.

Grillo fired a 3-under par 68 in the third round. Kennedy, a Cardinal Mooney alum and Lakewood Ranch resident, posted a 70.

Grillo attends IMG Academies just like Nick Torrance.

Unlike Grillo, however, Torrance backed up on day three. So did Ben An, the 2009 U.S. Amateur champ.

Both players sit near the bottom of the pack following a 78 and 75, respectively.

Peter Uihlein makes first cut in a major

Former IMG standout Peter Uihlein made his first cut in a major after completing his second round at the British Open on Friday.

The reigning United States Amateur champion missed the cut in the Masters and U.S. Open earlier this year.

Uihlein is a rising senior at Oklahoma State University and turned in his second straight 71 on the par-70 Royal St. George's layout in Sandwich, England.

Uihlein is tied for 45th. The top 71 players advanced to the weekend portion of the 72-hole tournament.

Fellow IMG alum Sean O'Hair did not make the cut.

O'Hair improved on his opening-round 73 with a second-round 71, but missed by one shot after the cut was made at 3-over par.

Peter Uihlein set to begin British Open

Peter Uihlein during last summer's U.S. Amateur triumph. Photo courtesy of McClatchy-Tribune News Service.

If you're waking up in a few hours to catch the British Open live, you can watch former IMG standout Peter Uihlein at Royal St. George's in Thursday's opening round.

Uihlein is playing this week, because he captured last year's U.S. Amateur which earned the Oklahoma State rising senior exemptions into both U.S. and British opens as well as an invitation into the Masters.

Uihlein tees off No. 10 alongside Geoff Ogilvy and Miguel Angel Jimenez at 8:09 a.m. (local time).

That's about 3 a.m. here in Florida. Television coverage is scheduled to start at 4 a.m. on ESPN.

Check back here for tabs on how the local lad fares in his third major of 2011.

Steve Pleis backs up at Hooters Tour event

David Gossett during his time on the PGA Tour. Courtesy of McClatchy-Tribune News Service.

Parrish's Steve Pleis and former David Leadbetter Golf Academy standout David Gossett were the lone players with ties to Manatee County to make the cut at the NGA Hooters Tour stop in Fayetteville, Ga.

Both players carded strong opening rounds at the Whitewater Creek Open presented by Michelob Ultra.

Pleis shot 65, while Gossett posted 63.

However, both players have struggled to duplicate those superb rounds.

Pleis shot a 1-over par 73 on Saturday and is tied for 37th at 6-under for the 72-hole tournament.

Gossett also carded a 73 in the third round. He's tied for 22nd. Gossett, who won the 1999 U.S. Amateur, began the day tied for fifth while Pleis started tied for 17th.

Gossett is 10 shots behind leader Garrett Osborn. Pleis is 13 strokes back.

Former Oklahoma State and Bradenton Academy standout Casey Wittenberg did not make the cut.

Neither did Englishman Jake Shepherd, who is listed from Longboat Key while in America.

Wittenberg soared to a 75 in the second round for a 146 total. Meanwhile, Shepherd also played worse in Friday's round. He posted a 77 for a 150 total.

Players at 141 or better advanced to the weekend.

Peter Uihlein named semifinalist for Ben Hogan Award

Peter Uihlein at last week's Masters. Provided by McClatchy-Tribune News Service.

Peter Uihlein's career keeps getting better.

If playing in his first Masters wasn't enough, the former Pendleton School at IMG Academies standout was named a semifinalist for the prestigious Ben Hogan Award on Wednesday.

The award is given annually to the best college golfer.

Uihlein, an Oklahoma State University junior, had a banner year in 2010 after winning the United States Amateur.

The triumph was the second straight for former Bradenton residents following Ben An's victory in 2009.

Uihlein isn't the lone Cowboy on the short list for the award, which will be presented to the winner on May 16 in conjunction with the Hogan-associated PGA Tour event held at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Two other Oklahoma State players are semifinalists. PGA Tour sensation Rickie Fowler was the last winner from Oklahoma State, taking the award in 2008.

Uihlein missed the cut in the Masters after an even-par 72 in the first round. He also played in the Transitions Championship - the lone PGA Tour stop on Florida's west coast. Uihlein made the cut there.

Peter Uihlein looks like a missed cut at Masters

Peter Uihlein hits from the second hole on Thursday at the Masters. Provided by the Associated Press.

Peter Uihlein's stay at the first major in 2011 look like they are over.

Uihlein opened his first-ever Masters tournament with an even-par 72, but ballooned to a 77 in Friday's second round.

The Oklahoma State University standout and former IMG Academies student recorded just two birdies en route to hitting nine greens during his second round trip around the famed Augusta National layout.

Uihlein is at 5-over par for the tournament, while the current projected cut lies at 2-over.

Still, though, the experience of playing with defending champion Phil Mickelson and former U.S. Open champ Geoff Ogilvy was a thrilling time for the reigning U.S. Amateur champ.

Peter Uihlein plays well in Masters first round

Peter Uihlein at last year's U.S. Amateur/courtesy of McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Former IMG Academies standout Peter Uihlein is tied for 31st after the first round at the Masters.

The reigning U.S. Amateur champion and current Oklahoma State University golfer is tied with two other players for low-amateur honors.

Uihlein nailed 13 greens in regulation en route to an even-par 72 on Thursday.

He played alongside defending champ Phil Mickelson and former U.S. Open champ Geoff Ogilvy.

Lefty opened with a 2-under 70, while Ogilvy is in the top 10 after a 3-under 69.

Uihlein hit 11 of 14 fairways and birdied No. 18 to bring his round in at 72.

He tees off Friday's second round at 10:30 a.m.

Peter Uihlein in Masters Par-3 Contest

Peter Uihlein at last year's U.S. Amateur/courtesy of McClatchy-Tribune News Service.

Former Bradenton resident and reigning U.S. Amateur champ Peter Uihlein will tee it up Thursday at Augusta National alongside Phil Mickelson.

The Masters has a tradition of pairing the defending champion with the current national amateur champ, and that continues this year.

Uihlein's first Masters appearance is slated to begin at 1:48 p.m. Geoff Oglivy, a former U.S. Open champion, rounds out the threesome.

Uihlein made the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational when he was on spring break from Oklahoma State. Uihlein received an invite for the PGA Tour stop at Bay Hill in Orlando, where he has a residence, and used it as a tune-up for the Masters.

On Wednesday, Uihlein took part in the annual Par-3 Contest and fared well - shooting 3-under 24 on the nine-hole layout.

Good news, though, as Uihlein didn't post the lowest score. The winner of the event has never backed it up to don the green jacket for a Masters triumph.

To read more about the favorites heading into the first major of the year, check out the Bradenton Herald's Thursday edition.

Peter Uihlein at the Crow's Nest for the Masters

Peter Uihlein during last year's U.S. Amateur/courtesy of McClatchy-Tribune News Service

From the Associated Press:


CROW'S NEST: Former IMG Academy student Peter Uihlein picked the wrong night to spend in the Crow's Nest, the upper floor cubicle at Augusta National where top amateurs in the Masters are invited to stay.

Watching the national championship basketball game with fellow amateur David Chung was fine. But the powerful storm that roared through the area later in the night caused Uihlein some anxious moments.

"I was up all night," the U.S. Amateur champion said.

There was no damage in the Crow's Nest, though Uihlein had already planned to move into a house with relatives and his girlfriend for the rest of the tournament.

Despite the storm, Uihlein was soaking in the experience of his first Masters, including hitting a tee shot on the par-3 12th hole for the first time.

Like his stay in the Crow's Nest, that was an adventure.

"I hit it in the water the first time I played," Uihlein said. "Right pin, I went for it."

Uihlein and Hampshire at Transitions

Former IMG Academies golfer Peter Uihlein slipped back to a tie for 54th after a 1-over par 72 at the Transitions Championship.

The reigning U.S. Amateur champ sparkled with two front nine eagles - including a hole out that placed him on Sportscenter's Top 10 plays - during Friday's second round to make the cut in the PGA Tour's stop at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor.

Uihlein wasn't able to continue his scorching form as he failed to make a birdie in Saturday's "moving day."

Travis Hampshire, the West Florida Golf Tour participant, played better on day two in his quest to make the cut.

However, after his opening round 75, Hampshire missed the cut by five shots.

He's scheduled to play in next week's Nationwide Tour event.

To read more about Uihlein and Hampshire, read "Amateur, vet get chance at Transitions."

Transitions Championship opening round delayed

The Transitions Championship, the PGA Tour event in the Tampa Bay area, kicks off today.

First-round tee times were pushed back from the original starting times due to a 70-minute fog delay.

For Peter Uihlein and Travis Hampshire - two players with local connections to Bradenton - that means about an hour later than their original tee time.

Uihlein is a former IMG Leadbetter golfer and the reigning U.S. Amateur champion. He's now scheduled to tee off No. 10 at Innisbrook's Copperhead Course at 10:40 a.m.

Hampshire, who has won several times on the West Florida Golf Tour and Monday qualified for this week's event, is now slated to begin at 3:25 p.m. off No. 10.

Paula Creamer performs clinic at Ritz celebration

Paula Creamer putts in the 2010 CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge/courtesy of McClatchy-Tribune Services

The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club celebrated its five-year anniversary last Saturday with a major champion conducting a clinic.

That player is reigning U.S. Women's Open winner Paula Creamer.

Creamer, dubbed the Pink Panther, braved the cold and wind for the morning clinic.

The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club also is the home course for reigning U.S. Amateur champ Peter Uihlein.

The east Manatee track features a various practice facilities, and several area mini-tour pros have frequented the club to hone their game.

And to whet your appetite, check out this video on Creamer's triumph last summer:

Uihlein named to Team USA

The USGA announced Team USA's participants for the 2010 World Amateur Team Championship held Oct. 28-31 at Olivos Golf Club and Buenos Aires Golf Club in Argentina.

Former Leadbetter Academy student Peter Uihlein was one of the selections.

Uihlein won the 110th U.S. Amateur following the announcement. He'll join U.S. Amateur runner-up David Chung and Scott Langley as U.S. team members for the biennial competition.

His father is the CEO of Titleist, and Uihlein has memberships to the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club and The Concession in Manatee County.

An dethroned at U.S. Amateur

Ben An just couldn't put away David Chung.

The Bradenton golfer from Korea was 3-up on Chung nine holes to play in the semifinals of the 110th U.S. Amateur at the Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Wash.

An, who won the tournament last year, played his final nine Saturday in the equivalent of 4-over par, while Chung birdied three holes in his comeback.

However, there is still a chance that someone with Bradenton ties could walk off with the U.S. Amateur trophy in tow after Sunday's 36-hole final.

That's because former IMG Academies golfer Peter Uihlein advanced in his semifinal.

Uihlein, whose father is the CEO of Titleist, breezed to a 4-and-3 victory over Patrick Cantlay.

The finals on the course measuring over 7,700 yards begin Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. local time.

An moves into the semifinals

Bradenton's Ben An has earned a semifinal berth after a hard-fought quarterfinal match in the 110th U.S. Amateur at the Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Wash.

An won the tournament last year, which gave him exemptions into the U.S. and British opens, and an invitation into The Masters.

He missed the cut in all three majors, but the experience in those tournaments and couple other PGA Tour stops has the incoming University of Cal-Berkeley freshman primed for a return trip golf's elite venues in 2011.

However, An would need to repeat this week. He battled his soon-to-be college teammate to a 1-up victory that took all 18 holes to complete. It was the first time since match play began that An has been forced to No. 18.

His previous three matches ended early.

An never trailed in the match, and it was just the second time he played No. 18 - having played the hole during stroke play qualification.

He faces Fayetteville, N.C. golfer David Chung in Saturday's first semifinal.

The match is scheduled for an 8:30 a.m. local time.

Defending champ An into quarters

Ben An, the reigning U.S. Amateur champ, won two matches Thursday in the 110th U.S. Amateur at the Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Wash.

An enters the fall as a freshman at the University of Cal-Berkeley, after moving from his native South Korea to Bradenton to hone his game.

An defeated Alex Shi Yup Kim, of Fullerton, Calif., 4 and 3 in the round of 32.

He then beat Scott Strohmeyer from Tuscaloosa, Ala. 3 and 2 to advance to today's quarterfinals.

An into round of 32 at U.S. Amateur

Ben An is heading to the second round in defense of his U.S. Amateur title.

The Bradenton golfer is attending the University of Cal-Berkeley this fall as a freshman, but he's at University Place, Wash. for the site of this year's national amateur.

An dispatched David Dannelly of Clemson, S.C. 3 and 2 in a round of 64 match Wednesday at the Chambers Bay Golf Course.

An shot the equivalent of 2-under before ending the match on the 16th hole.

An looks likely for match play; Mullhaupt likely to miss cut

Bradenton's Ben An is heading to the University Cal-Berkeley for his college golf this fall, but before he hits the classroom, he's defending his U.S. Amateur title at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.

An started strong in Monday's opening round when he fired a 2-under 70 on The Home Course. However, he backed up on the Chambers Bay Golf Course in his second round with a 77, but that right now looks likely to advance An to the match play portion of the tournament.

Only the top 64 make up a the single-elimination field and fellow Bradenton golfer Nicholas Mullhaupt shot 157 for the two-day stroke play portion.

That number won't be good enough as Mullhaupt sits in a tie for 208th as of late Tuesday.

The tournament's match play begins Wednesday and finishes with Sunday's final.