Franklin Regional grad Palmer Jackson's run at U.S. Amateur ends
Palmer Jackson’s run at the U.S. Amateur ended Friday.
The Murrysville native and Notre Dame commit fell to Vanderbilt junior John Augenstein 3-and-2 in the quarterfinals at Pinehurst No. 2 at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club at the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
Jackson struggled with his driver throughout the match, and Augenstein took advantage. Jackson called Pinehurst No. 2 the hardest course he ever has played.
Augenstein went 3-up after five holes before heavy rains delayed the match for more than an hour. Augenstein won Nos. 3 and 4 with pars, and then he sank a 20-foot for eagle on No. 5.
“I got off to a real good start,” Augenstein said. “I let him get back in the match, which was unacceptable. My shot on No. 12 got me going again.”
Jackson missed an opportunity to win a hole after the delay on No. 7 but won No. 8 and No. 9 with pars.
Augenstein, the highest-ranked player left in the championship, got a par save on No. 12 to stay 1-up and then won No. 15 with a par and No. 16 with a par after Jackson’s par putt lipped out.
Jackson reached the final eight by defeating two college seniors — Auburn’s Jacob Solomon and Stanford’s Isaiah Salinda — 2-up.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
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