TicketsUniversity of Cincinnati rising senior Austin Squires (Union, Ky./Ryle High School) saw his memorable run at the U.S. Amateur come to end in the quarterfinals Friday, dropping a 7 & 6 decision to Viktor Hovland of Norway, at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California.
Hovland, a junior All-American from Oklahoma State who ranks fifth in the world amateur rankings, started fast winning seven consecutive holes after both players halved the first hole. He finished 5-under for the 12 holes played.
Squires took bogies on the par-4 third hole, par-3 fifth hole and par-5 sixth hole while Hovland was on his hot streak. Squires won the 10th hole with a birdie to pull within 6-down before Hovland answered with a birdie on No. 11 to regain a 7-up lead. The match ended when Squires couldn't make up ground on the 12th hole.
Despite Friday's result, Squires' week-long stay at the nation's top amateur tournament marked the best run by a Bearcat at the U.S. Amateur in school history.
The 2017 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and two-time all-league performer began the week tying for 10th place in the 312-player two-round stroke-play portion of the U.S. Amateur.
Squires earned a 5 & 4 win over Max Theodorakis of Danbury, Connecticut, on Wednesday before advancing to the quarterfinals Thursday thanks to a pair of dramatic wins. On a day that featured 37 holes of pressure-filled golf, Squires birdied the 19th hole to upset the 45th-ranked amateur in the world, Luis Gagne of Costa Rica in the Round of 32 before outlasting Andrew Alligood of St. Johns, Florida, 1-up, with a birdie on the 18th hole for a berth in the quarterfinals.
// QUOTING SQUIRES
"This week was a huge learning experience. I had a lot of fun and it was a nice confidence boost going into the fall season," Squires said. "Pebble was a great venue and to make it that far in the US Amateur was truly special.
"Aside from the golf, I can't thank Bearcats Nation enough for the support they have shown me. It really means a lot and makes me proud to represent the Bearcats on the golf course."
// BEARCATS FALL SEASON STARTS SOON
Squires and the 2018-19 Bearcats start their fall season Sept. 8-9 at the Rod Myers Invitational hosted by Duke. Two weeks later Cincinnati plays host to the Bearcat Invitational Sept. 24-25 at Coldstream Country Club.
Hovland, a junior All-American from Oklahoma State who ranks fifth in the world amateur rankings, started fast winning seven consecutive holes after both players halved the first hole. He finished 5-under for the 12 holes played.
Squires took bogies on the par-4 third hole, par-3 fifth hole and par-5 sixth hole while Hovland was on his hot streak. Squires won the 10th hole with a birdie to pull within 6-down before Hovland answered with a birdie on No. 11 to regain a 7-up lead. The match ended when Squires couldn't make up ground on the 12th hole.
Despite Friday's result, Squires' week-long stay at the nation's top amateur tournament marked the best run by a Bearcat at the U.S. Amateur in school history.
The 2017 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and two-time all-league performer began the week tying for 10th place in the 312-player two-round stroke-play portion of the U.S. Amateur.
Squires earned a 5 & 4 win over Max Theodorakis of Danbury, Connecticut, on Wednesday before advancing to the quarterfinals Thursday thanks to a pair of dramatic wins. On a day that featured 37 holes of pressure-filled golf, Squires birdied the 19th hole to upset the 45th-ranked amateur in the world, Luis Gagne of Costa Rica in the Round of 32 before outlasting Andrew Alligood of St. Johns, Florida, 1-up, with a birdie on the 18th hole for a berth in the quarterfinals.
// QUOTING SQUIRES
"This week was a huge learning experience. I had a lot of fun and it was a nice confidence boost going into the fall season," Squires said. "Pebble was a great venue and to make it that far in the US Amateur was truly special.
"Aside from the golf, I can't thank Bearcats Nation enough for the support they have shown me. It really means a lot and makes me proud to represent the Bearcats on the golf course."
// BEARCATS FALL SEASON STARTS SOON
Squires and the 2018-19 Bearcats start their fall season Sept. 8-9 at the Rod Myers Invitational hosted by Duke. Two weeks later Cincinnati plays host to the Bearcat Invitational Sept. 24-25 at Coldstream Country Club.