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The defending champion Matt Parziale looked to be in trouble after an opening 76 at Carolina Golf Club, but he rebounded with a 68 at Charlotte CC to comfortably make match play. But he unexpectedly bowed out to Andres Schonbaum in the first round.
Four-time champion Nathan Smith missed the cut for only the second time in 14 appearances in the U.S. Mid-Amateur.
Sam O'Dell survived a 16-for-12 playoff on Monday morning, then won his match against Todd Mitchell. He is still alive after two match wins on Tuesday.
Jeff Wilson, the reigning U.S. Senior champion, won his first match in his quest for two USGA championships in the same year, but fell to another USGA champion, Stewart Hagestad, in the second round. Hagestad took out another senior stalwart, Matt Sughrue, in the round of 16, before bowing out in the semifinals.
After five match play rounds, it came down to two North Carolinians: local favorite Brett Boner and Monroe Invitational champion Kevin O'Connell. In the end it was O'Connell who walked away with the trophy.
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The 38th U.S. Mid-Amateur champion
71-70=141 (T7) Kevin O'Connell, Cary, N.C.
Beat Nick Reardon 8 and 7, Beat Broc Haymon 2 and 1, Beat Frank Alafoginis 4 and 3, Beat Andres Schonbaum 19 holes, Beat Kyler Sauer 19 holes, Beat Brett Boner 4 and 3
Lost in the Championship Match
71-69=140 (T5) Brett Boner, Charlotte, N.C.
Beat David Jennings 4 and 2, Beat Claudio Consul 22 holes, Beat Kory Bowman 4 and 3, Beat Sam O'Dell 2 up, Beat Stewart Hagestad 1 up, Lost to Kevin O'Connell 4 and 3
Lost in the Match Play semifinals
67-74=141 (T7) Stewart Hagestad, Newport Beach, Calif.
Beat Bradley Wohlers 8 and 6, Beat Jeff Wilson 3 and 2, Beat Matt Sughrue 3 and 2, Beat Rusty Mosley 3 and 2, Lost to Brett Boner 1 up
Lost in the Match Play quarterfinals
78-69=147 (T53) Sam O'Dell*, Hurricane, W. Va.
Beat Todd Mitchell 4 and 2, Beat Jordan Sease 2 and 1, Beat Benjamin Hayes 6 and 5, Lost to Brett Boner 2 up
*advanced through 16-for-12 playoff
Lost in the Match Play round of 16
72-69=141 (T7) Derek Busby, Ruston, La.
Beat Dan Sullivan 3 and 2, Beat Danny Simmerman 5 and 3, Lost to Kyler Sauer 1 up
Lost in the 2nd round of Match Play
71-73=144 (T26) Claudio Consul, Germany
Beat Brett Viboch 5 and 4, Lost to Brett Boner 22 holes
71-74=145 (T35) Jeff Wilson, Fairfield, Calif.
Beat Josh Clay 2 and 1, Lost to Stewart Hagestad 3 and 2
Lost in 1st round of Match Play
67-72=139 (T2) Bradford Tilley, Easton, Conn.
Lost to Mattew Mattare 2 and 1
69-73=142 (T14) Marc Dull, Winter Haven, Fla.
Lost to Grant Schroeder 3 and 1
76-68=144 (T26) Matt Parziale, Brockton, Mass.
Lost to Andres Schonbaum 3 and 2
Missed the Cut for Match Play
74-74=148 Nathan Smith, Pittsburgh, Pa.
80-68=148 Reid Hatley, Hayden Lake, Idaho
78-71=149 Brad Nurski, St. Joseph, Mo.
76-74=150 Scott Harvey, Greensboro, N.C.
77-73=150 Joshua Irving, Dallas, Texas
82-69=151 Joe Alfieri, Lutz, Fla.
81-71=152 Gene Elliott, W. Des Moines, Iowa
79-77=156 Patrick Christovich, New Orleans, La.