Niebrugge, U.S. lead at Spirit International

TRINITY, Tx. (Nov. 1, 2013) -- The rains that washed away the first round of play at The Spirit International Amateur and shortened it from 72 to 54 holes have ceased and play has begun at Whispering Pines Golf Club. Wednesday's first round was pushed to begin Thursday and first-round action was still taking place Friday morning. A loaded United States squad was leading the way thanks to superb play from U.S. Public Links champion Jordan Niebrugge of Oklahoma State. Niebrugge, who also won the Western Amateur and the Wisconsin State Match Play in successive weeks this past summer, entered Friday's play sitting 6-under through 13 first-round holes. Scottie Scheffler, a high school senior and University of Texas commit, earned the right to represent the U.S. by claiming the 2013 U.S. Junior. He's 3-under through 10 holes. Ally McDonald, the North & South Women's winner and star at Mississippi State, is also 3-under and will tee off in the second round at 10:54 a.m. alongside teammate Ashlan Ramsey of Clemsonw, who shot 2-under in Round 1. The U.S. enters day two with a six-shot advantage over Sweden.