ERIN, Wis.--Texas A&M senior Jordan Russell saw his record-setting run at the U.S. Amateur Championship come to an end on Saturday afternoon as the All-American dropped a 4 and 3 semifinal decision to UCLA sophomore Patrick Cantlay, the world's No. 1-ranked amateur, at Erin Hills Golf and Country Club outside Milwaukee.
Russell (College Station) becomes the first player in school history to advance to the semifinals of the Amateur, the country's oldest golf tournament.
"This week was great," Russell said. "I mean, making it this far, I had some really tough matches early on and played really well in two others."
The match started off as a see-saw affair, with Russell and Cantlay trading wins through the first seven holes. It was all square after six, but Cantlay birdied the 617-yard, par-5 seventh hole to go 1-up in the match. He then bogeyed the next hole but still added to his lead as Russell took a double bogey.
Cantlay went three up on the 11th and put Russell in a must-win situation with a birdie on No. 14.
The Aggie senior looked to be in good position on the par-4 15th, as he hit his approach to within 3 feet of the hole. Cantlay responded, however, hitting a wedge to within 1 foot. Russell then conceded the putt and the match, putting Cantlay in the finals against Kelly Kraft on Sunday.
"It was a good match," Russell said. "You know, it was just a fight...but the better golfer obviously came out on top. Once Patrick got the momentum, he just played like he always does."
Russell, who set the school scoring record last season en route to All-America honors, reached the semis with victories over Zahkai Brown (1 up), Bryson Dechambeau (5 and 3), Bobby Leopold (19 holes) and another of the world's top amateurs, Peter Uihlein (2 and 1).
Russell and the Aggies will open the 2011-12 season in late September at the Kikkor Golf Husky Invitational outside Seattle.
Russell's Results at U.S. Amateur
Stroke Play: 140, -2 (68-72), t-30th
First Round: def. Zahkai Brown, 1 up
Second Round: def. Bryson Dechambeau, 5 and 3
Round of 16: def. Bobby Leopold, 19 holes
Quarterfinals: def. Peter Uihlein, 2 and 1
Semifinals: lost to Patrick Cantlay, 4 and 3
Russell (College Station) becomes the first player in school history to advance to the semifinals of the Amateur, the country's oldest golf tournament.
"This week was great," Russell said. "I mean, making it this far, I had some really tough matches early on and played really well in two others."
The match started off as a see-saw affair, with Russell and Cantlay trading wins through the first seven holes. It was all square after six, but Cantlay birdied the 617-yard, par-5 seventh hole to go 1-up in the match. He then bogeyed the next hole but still added to his lead as Russell took a double bogey.
Cantlay went three up on the 11th and put Russell in a must-win situation with a birdie on No. 14.
The Aggie senior looked to be in good position on the par-4 15th, as he hit his approach to within 3 feet of the hole. Cantlay responded, however, hitting a wedge to within 1 foot. Russell then conceded the putt and the match, putting Cantlay in the finals against Kelly Kraft on Sunday.
"It was a good match," Russell said. "You know, it was just a fight...but the better golfer obviously came out on top. Once Patrick got the momentum, he just played like he always does."
Russell, who set the school scoring record last season en route to All-America honors, reached the semis with victories over Zahkai Brown (1 up), Bryson Dechambeau (5 and 3), Bobby Leopold (19 holes) and another of the world's top amateurs, Peter Uihlein (2 and 1).
Russell and the Aggies will open the 2011-12 season in late September at the Kikkor Golf Husky Invitational outside Seattle.
Russell's Results at U.S. Amateur
Stroke Play: 140, -2 (68-72), t-30th
First Round: def. Zahkai Brown, 1 up
Second Round: def. Bryson Dechambeau, 5 and 3
Round of 16: def. Bobby Leopold, 19 holes
Quarterfinals: def. Peter Uihlein, 2 and 1
Semifinals: lost to Patrick Cantlay, 4 and 3