ATLANTA (August 18) — Georgia Tech junior Bryce Molder (Conway, Ark.), unphased by trailing with six holes to play, rallied to defeat Walker Cup team member Tim Jackson, 2-Up, Wednesday during the first round of the 1999 U.S. Amateur Golf Championship at the par 71, 6,828-yard Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif.
Jackson captured holes No. 10 and 11 and after halves at No. 12 and 13, enjoyed the lead with six holes to play. Molder then countered by winning Nos. 14 and 16 to square the match. On the par 3, 204-yard No. 17, Molder knocked in a fade with a four iron that rested 15 feet from the hole. He then delivered the clutch shot of the match as he knocked in the putt for birdie and took control of the match for good. Molder hit the par 5, 543-yard No. 18 in regulation, while Jackson had to scramble to reach the green in four. After missing a 12 foot putt, he conceded the match.
Molder next plays Gary Mankulish of the University of Maryland, who defeated Charles Howell of Augusta, Ga., and Oklahoma State in an upset, 1-Up. The two square off at 8:50 a.m. PST, with the winner advancing to a third round match at 1:40 p.m. PST. Thursday is the only day when two matches are contested in the same day.
Coverage continues on ESPN from 3-6 p.m., EST.
