Aug. 26, 2009

Courtesy of Texas Tech Athletics

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech golfers Chris Ward (McKinney, Texas) and Matt Smith (Canberra, Australia) rallied in the second round of stroke play Tuesday to advance to the match play portion of the U.S. Amateur Championship in Tulsa, Okla. The duo was among 312 players that began the event Monday at Southern Hills Golf Club and Cedar Ridge Country Club.

Ward, who sat in a 91st place tie following Monday's 76 at Southern Hills, bounced back with an even-par 70 at Cedar Ridge to finish tied in 32nd place. He finished two shots ahead of the cut, which was 8-over. Smith, also playing his second round at Cedar Ridge, was 1-over on the front Tuesday, before rallying with birdies at Nos. 14 and 15 to finish at 8-over. His round of 69 was one of 11 on either course better than par. Smith entered Tuesday's round tied in 114th place.

Ward begins match play Wednesday at 9:10 a.m. CT against Brian Harman (Savannah, Ga.), who is a member of the University of Georgia golf team. Smith tees off against Andrew Funk (Scottsdale, Ariz.) at 9:30 a.m. All match play rounds will take place at Southern Hills and conclude Sunday with the final two golfers.

Match play format includes one round Wednesday, a pair of rounds Thursday and single rounds Friday and Saturday. The final two golfers will play 36 holes Sunday.

The Golf Channel will provide coverage Wednesday from 2-5 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from noon-2 p.m. NBC will pick up Saturday's semifinals and Sunday's final from 3-5 p.m.