Aug. 20, 2003

OAKMONT, Pa. – University of Kentucky golfers John Holmes and Matt Kohn advanced to the second round of the U.S. Amateur Championships at the Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., on Wednesday. After advancing through to the match play portion of the draw, both were victorious in their opening matches.

Holmes, a junior from Campbellsville, Ky., defeated Rick Reinsberg, 6 and 4. Reinsberg jumped out to an early one-hole lead through the first four holes before Holmes managed to draw even on the fifth and sixth holes. The 2003 Kentucky Open champion pulled away from Reinsberg over the next eight holes, gaining a six-stroke advantage through 14, making it statistically impossible for his opponent to win or tie.

Earlier in the afternoon, Kohn defeated James Lee, 1-up, in a match that was closely contested throughout. The UK sophomore held a one hole advantage after the third and went up by as many as three through the first eight holes. Lee managed to tie the match on the ninth hole and led the competition through the first three holes of the back nine. UK’s Longwood, Fla., native managed to regain the lead on the 16th hole and held on for the victory.

“It was pretty amazing to be out there,” Kohn said. “The crowd is so big and the tournament is so prestigious. It’s really cool. The course is playing so hard. You have to hit fairways – if you don’t hit fairways you know it’s going to be a bogey.”

Holmes will tee off his second round match against Michael McDermott from Havertown, Pa., at 7:15 a.m. Kohn will square off against Nate Lashley from Scottsbluff, Neb., at 9:25 a.m.

ESPN will provide coverage of the second round beginning at 2 p.m.

For live scoring, visit www.usamateur.org.