Aug. 25, 2009

LAS VEGAS - Three UNLV men's golfers qualified for stroke play at the 2009 U.S. Amateur, which was held Monday and Tuesday at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. Two of those Rebels are still alive as match play begins on Wednesday, which will pit the top 64 players remaining against each other.

Sophomore Derek Ernst (74-73) and senior Brett Kanda (71-76) both finished stroke play tied for 45th at 7-over-par 147, while sophomore Colby Smith (78-73) finished tied for 122nd at 11-over, ending his bid to move on.

The first round of match play, which will narrow the remaining field down to 32 individuals, will be held on Wednesday, while rounds two and three of match play are scheduled for Thursday. Eight quarterfinalists will play one round on Friday, with the semifinal round scheduled for Saturday. The final two players will play 36 holes for the championship on Sunday with the morning round scheduled for 8 a.m. CDT and the afternoon session starting at 1 p.m. CDT.

Ernst, who is from Clovis, Calif., will open match play on Wednesday against Chile's Nico Geyger beginning at 9:20 a.m. CDT, while Kanda, from La Crescenta, Calif., will face Kevin Tway, who is from Edmond, Okla., at 12:20 p.m. CDT.

To play at this week's site, all three Rebels had to advance through sectional qualifying sites around the country. Ernst and Kanda were both medalists at their respective sites.

For more U.S. Amateur results and information, CLICK HERE.