Date Posted: 8/24/2007

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - UNF incoming freshman Chris Kennedy made a late rally at the 107th U.S. Amateur, but was not able to make up an early deficit on Thursday to Andrew Putnam in the second round of match play at Olympic Club.

The 3-and-1 defeat at the hands of Putnam ended Kennedy's run at the U.S. Amateur in the round of 32.

Kennedy never led on Thursday; Putnam took advantage of a pair of Kennedy bogeys on holes three and four before a birdie on the fifth hole gave him a 3- up advantage. That lead grew to 6-up by the 11th hole. Kennedy fought his way back into the match by winning four of the next five holes, starting with a birdie on the par-4 12th hole. Kennedy cut Putnam's lead to two but would get no closer. The match finally ended on the 17th hole when Kennedy bogeyed to give Putnam the hole and the win.

On Wednesday, Kennedy, seeded No. 53 after the stroke-play portion of the US Amateur, won his opening round match in match play at the, defeating the No, 12 seed, Kevin Schultz 4 and 3. Kennedy never trailed in the match, winning the first four holes.

"It was nice to have a big lead," Kennedy said. "I went up four early and the key from there was to keep hitting fairways and greens and keep the pressure on him." Schultz got as close as two on the eighth hole, but watched Kennedy extend that lead back to 5-up before finally closing the match on the 15th hole. Kennedy's win was part of a slew of upsets on Wednesday. Seven of the top 12 players from the stroke play were defeated in the opening round of match play.

Kennedy was the lone A-Sun golfer to make the match-play portion of the U.S. Amateur after teammates Michael O'Neal and J.C. Horne, along with Kennesaw State's Michael Tulacz were eliminated from the tournament after stroke play concluded Wednesday.

Related Links:
 • UNF Men's Golf
 • US Amateur