U.S. Public Links: Y. golfers bow out in 2nd round

MIDWAY — Seven golfers with local ties started the U.S. Public Links Championship, three made it to match play and two made it past the first round.

However, that was as far BYU golfers Zac Blair and Justin Keiley could make it as both golfers were defeated in Thursday's second round at Soldier Hollow Golf Course.

Ogden's Blair was eliminated 2 and 1 Thursday morning by Paul McConnell, a 21-year-old who plays for UT-Arlington, while Keiley was beaten by Orlando's Brad Schneider 3 and 2.

Blair's match-play strategy this week was to keep making pars and avoid mistakes. He said in match play, a golfer can usually win if he can keep his opponent from winning holes with pars.

That didn't work against McConnell, who made five birdies in 17 holes. The Texas golfer got off to a great start, draining a 35-foot putt at No. 2 and adding another birdie putt at No. 4. Then he won No. 6 when Blair found trouble and double bogeyed.

"I putted really well this morning and was five-under," said McConnell. "I knew Zac was really good and would always put it in the fairway and that if I gave him a chance, he'd probably take it."

McConnell was 3 up after six holes and kept the lead until No. 10 when Blair won two straight holes to cut the lead to one. However, McConnell came back with two more birds at 14 and 15 and although Blair won 16 with a birdie, the match ended at 17 when both players parred.

Keiley won the first hole, but fell behind by the sixth hole and was three down by the 13th hole. Schneider, who just finished his collegiate career at Central Florida, closed out the match at the 16th hole.

Both McConnell and Schneider went on to win their afternoon matches and advance to the quarterfinals.

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