Playoff Remains to Decide Match Play at 101st Met Junior
ELMSFORD, N.Y. (July 13, 2018) – Changing qualifying to just 18 holes due to severe storms in the afternoon forecast nearly allowed the bracket to be completed at the 101st Met Junior Championship Sponsored by MetLife, but a 3-for-2 playoff remains to decide the final qualifying positions at Siwanoy Country Club.
Related: Results | Match Play Bracket | Photos
While the playoff began as a 7-for-6, James Carrier of White Plains, Nathan Drogin of Essex Fells, N.J., and Jack Wall of Brielle, N.J., were still vying for the final two slots in match play when the horns blew at Siwanoy Tuesday afternoon. Patrick Curley of Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Turner Foster of East Hampton, N.Y., Chris Thompson of Manhasset, N.Y., and Brandon Valvano of Franklin Lakes, N.J., all secured their spots thanks to their play on the first playoff hole, the uphill par-3 13th.
Meanwhile, Erik Stauderman of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., earned medalist honors and the top seed with a 3-under 68. The recent Spackenkill graduate and St. Bonaventure commit tallied five birdies on the day, including two over his final four holes.
James Pak of Palisades Park, N.J., and recent Connecticut Junior champion Connor Belcastro of Rowayton, Conn., were the only others to post sub-par scores, both carding 1-under 70s. Pak had a steady round, with a trio of birdies to help offset a double-bogey on the par-4 16th--his only miscue of the day.
A trio tied for fourth as 2017 Met Junior semifinalist Shane DeVincenzo of Port Jefferson, N.Y., Carter Prince of Centerport, N.Y., and Brendan Hansen of Spring Lake, N.J., all posted even-par 71s. Hansen registered a field-best six birdies on the day.
William Celiberti of Ridgewood, N.J., 2017 MGA/MetLife Boys runner-up Jimin Jung of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., Jack Boatwright of Fairfield, Conn., and Nolan Forsman of Larchmont, N.Y., all safely advanced as well, posting 1-over 72s.
The playoff will resume in the 10th fairway Wednesday morning at 7 a.m., while Round of 16 matches will begin at 7:30 a.m. Quarterfinal matches will follow in the afternoon. All matches will include live hole-by-hole scoring.