Aug. 24, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO - Lamar University men's golfer Casey Clendenon, who survived a playoff just to gain one of the 64 spots in match play, has made the most of his opportunity and will play Eddie Olson Friday in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur Championship at Olympic Club.

Clendenon, a senior on the Cardinals golf team, posted a 4 & 3 win over Andrew Putnam Thursday afternoon to advance to the quarterfinals. With the match all square after three holes, Clendenon won five straight holes starting with a birdie on the par-4 fourth hole to take control of the match.

A native of Katy, Clendenon posted a 2 & 1 win over Jonathan Hodge Thursday morning in the second round. He never trailed in the match and built a 3-up lead following a birdie on the par-4 seventh hole. Clendenon posted a 1-up win over Danny Lee in the first round on Wednesday. With the match all square, Lee made bogey on the par-4 17th hole to give Clendenon the margin he needed for victory. Both players made par on the par-4 18th.

Following two rounds of stroke play, Clendenon was one of 17 players tied for 59th at 7-over 73-74--147. Those 17 players went to a playoff and Clendenon was one of the six players to advance to match play.

Dawie Van Der Walt, who was a three-time PING All-American and is enjoying some success on the European Tour since turning professional in June, was the last Lamar golfer to advance as far as the quarterfinals, doing so at the 2005 U.S. Amateur.