Schnell Tees Off at U.S. Amateur

Nebraska junior Brady Schnell began play on Monday in the 2005 U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. Schnell began on the back nine with a two-over par score of 36, following up the front nine with a one-over par 37. Schnell finished with a three-over par 73 in the first round of play on the par-70, 6,846-yard course. Fans can follow Schnell's progress in the championship on Huskers.com and USGA.org.

 

Schnell is one of 312 competitors in the U.S. Amateur Championship. The tournament consists of 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying on Monday and Tuesday before match play begins on Wednesday for those who qualify. Schnell will play his Tuesday round at the Philadelphia Country Club. After the 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying the low 64 players will advance to the match play portion of the championship which will be held at Merion Golf Club. Match play competition continues through the week with the 36-hole final set for Sunday.

 

A native of Omaha, Schnell began with two birdies before posting four bogeys on the next seven holes to wrap up the back nine. Schnell fared better on the front nine with five pars and two birdies before closing with a double-bogey on the ninth hole. On Monday, Schnell finished one under on two par-fives but was three- and one-over on par-threes and par-fours, respectively.

 

Schnell is coming off an outstanding sophomore campaign in which he led Nebraska in scoring average at 73.8 strokes per round. Schnell finished in the top 10 in five tournaments, and fired a 65 at the Pioneer Classic, tying the single-round school scoring record.