FRANKLIN, Ind. (July 23, 2013) -- 16 year-old Austin Crowder from Greenwood fired an opening round of 5-under-par 67 today at the IGA Match Play Championship held at Hillview CC. Crowder claimed the number two seed heading into the match play portion of competition, behind last year’s Champion Matt Spicuzza, who was automatically seeded first.

"I wasn’t hitting any fairways today but I was on fire with my putter,” said Crowder, a rising junior at Center Grove High School. "The highlight of my round today was on my very first hole, number ten. I pushed my iron shot to the right, but hit a great flop shot in for birdie, which got me off to a great start.”

Crowder’s round consisted of six birdies coming on the par 5, 2nd hole, the par 4, 3rd, the par 4, 5th, the par 5, 7th, the par 3, 10th, and the par 4, 12th. He only carded one bogey today on the par 4, 4th hole.

"It feels great to be seeded second,” Crowder said. "My goal tomorrow is to make a lot of birdies and play like I did today. If I do that it should be a lot of fun.”

Spicuzza will face the number 32 seed, Sam Hardwick in tomorrow morning’s match. Crowder will play the number 31 seed, Tim Fish. Match Play will begin tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m.

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