The day started with Scott Abbott of Dallas facing off against No. 1 overall seed Rick Sulzer of Carrollton and pulling off the upset. The match went to the 17th hole where Abbott won, 3 and 1, to make it to his third straight semifinal in the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play. In 2016, he lost to Colby Harwell in the final four, and in 2017, he was runner-up in the Mid-Amateur Match Play after losing to Colby Harwell in extra holes for the championship. Abbott and Sulzer combined for 15 total birdies in their match.
Gant Bills of Plano continued his impressive play as he advanced to the final four with an exclamation point when his birdie putt on No. 16 did a full circle around the cup before it fell to the bottom. Bills won his match over Kip Estep of Rockwall, 3 and 2.
The last player to make it to the final four was Jake Istnick of Dallas, who came back from 2 down against Aaron Hickman of Tyler to win the match, 1 up, on 18. Istnick cemented his spot in the final four when his birdie putt on No. 18 dropped.
Anthony Estorga used a hot putter to help end Scott Abbott’s dream of reaching the championship match in back-to-back years. Estorga won the match against Abbott, 5 and 4.
“I wouldn’t say I have been hitting the ball well,” said Estorga. “My putting has saved me this weekend, and I actually decided to use this putter last Saturday. It looks like I have made the right choice.”
Continuing his clutch putting, Bills did not cool down, sinking back-to-back 25-footers in his semifinal match against Jake Istnick. Bills won the match, 3 and 2, and will be moving on to the championship match.