Top-seed Michael Muehr, 2014 champ Scott Harvey move onto U.S. Mid-Amateur Quarterfinals

September 13, 2016 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Michael Muehr on Tuesday at the U.S. Mid-Amateur <br>(USGA)

Another long day awaits the field on Wednesday with the quarterfinals and semifinals set to be played

ELVERSON, PA (September 13, 2016) -- Top-seed Michael Muehr was the first man to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Stonewall Links' Old Course. Muehr was able to move forward thanks to a 2&1 win over No. 17 Claudio Consul of Germany.

Following halves on the first four holes Muehr won the 5th with a birdie and then the 7th hole to grab a 2 up lead. Over the next five holes Consul would methodically chip away at the deficit and after a win on the 12th, following a win on the 9th the match was all- square.

Despite seeing Consul tie the match, Muehr was not deterred and he regained the lead on the ensuing hole. Three more halves followed before Muehr sealed the deal on the 17th with a 12-foot par putt.

“It’s great to win a match like that; he’s a real solid player,” said Muehr a 2011 U.S. Mid-Amateur quarterfinalist. “I was fortunate to win.”

Muehr moved onto the Round of 32 with a 2&1 victory over No. 33 Gregor Orlando. In the match Muehr led much of the way and like in the Round of 16 he finished the deal off on the 17th.

2014 champion Scott Harvey also remains alive following a 3&2 triumph in the Round of 16 over No. 51 Christopher Ault. Harvey, the three-seed, took the lead on the 2nd hole and never looked back; leading by as many as 4 up. Throughout the match Harvey held at least a 2 up advantage after 13-holes.

Harvey who has talked throughout the week about struggling with his game said, “I think I am just so tired that (my game) smoothed out a little bit, it sounds crazy but that’s how I felt. It’s turning in the right direction.”

For Harvey reaching the Round of 16 didn't look likely midway through his Round of 32 match against No. 35 Kenny Coakley. After Coakley won the 9th hole Harvey, one of three medalist winners this week, found himself 3 down. However, to nobodies surprise Harvey chipped away; winning the 11th hole with a six-foot birdie, the 12th hole and 15th to square the match. Following a halve on the 16th, Harvey grabbed his first lead of the match on the 17th and then closed out a 1 up win one hole later.

Among the upsets during Tuesday afternoon was two-seed and co-medalist winner Thomas Werkmeister, falling 3&1 to 15-seed Dan Sullivan. With wins on the first two holes Sullivan took a lead that he would never relinquish. On three occasions Werkmeister won holes to draw within 1 down but he was never able to get over the hump.

Sullivan stayed steady throughout the tilt and with birdies on Nos. 14 and 17 he was able to create the separation necessary.

Among those to fall in the Round of 16 was defending champion Sammy Schmitz. With eight holes to go against No. 41 Scott Strickland, Schmitz held a 2 up lead, only to witness a tenacious rally.

Strickland won the 13th hole and then the 14th with a birdie to square the battle, after a halve he captured the 16th with a bogey to take the lead. A pair of halves followed and when the dust settled it was Strickland moving to the quarterfinals thanks a 1 up triumph.

“At our ages we move on pretty easily,” a disappointed Schmitz said. “We have our family and careers and it is not the end of the world.”

The highest remaining seed is No. 58 Joshua Irving. Wins over 26-seed Trevor Randolph 2&1 in the Round of 32 and No. 10 Jesse Daley 3&1 in the Round of 16 punched his ticket to the quarterfinals.

All eight players that advanced to the quarterfinals are exempt from qualifying for next years U.S. Mid- Amateur.

Following the completion of the quarterfinals the semifinal will be contested. Live coverage can viewed on Fox Sports 1 from 3-5 p.m. EST.

QUARTERFINAL MATCHES

No. 1 Michael Muehr vs. No. 41 Scott Strickland (7:15 a.m.)
No. 45 Michael McDermott vs. No. 12 Stewart Hagestad (7:30 a.m.)
No. 15 Dan Sullivan vs. No. 58 Joshua Irving (7:45 a.m.)
No. 3 Scott Harvey vs. No. 54 David May (8:00 a.m.)

-The USGA contributed to this story

Results: U.S. Mid-Amateur

Place	Player	Location	Pts
Win	Stewart Hagestad	Newport Beach, CA	1000
Runner-up	Scott Harvey	Kernersville, NC	700
Semifinals	Scott Strickland	Birmingham, MI	500
Semifinals	Dan Sullivan	Pasadena, CA	500
Quarterfinals	Michael Muehr	McLean, VA	400

View full results for U.S. Mid-Amateur

About the U.S. Mid-Amateur

Top-seed Michael Muehr, 2014 champ Scott Harvey move onto U.S. Mid-Amateur Quarterfinals

The U.S. Mid-Amateur originated in 1981 for the amateur golfer of at least 25 years of age, the purpose of which to provide a formal national championship for the post-college player. 264 players begin the championship with two rounds of sroke play q...