It’s been quite the week for UNC golfer Dylan Menante.

The Pepperdine transfer and former NCAA championship clinched his spot in the U.S. Amateur semifinals by defeating Nicholas Gross 4 and 3 in the quarterfinal round of match play Thursday. It’s the second straight year a UNC golfer has reached the semifinals, after Austin Greaser placed second in last year’s tournament.

Menante trailed early, losing two of the first three holes to Gross. But he caught fire after that, winning four straight holes to take the lead on the front nine and holding steady from there. A birdie on 15 sealed the victory and punched Menante’s ticket to Saturday’s semifinals.

Menante only reached the quarterfinals after a thrilling round of 16 match against Maxwell Moldovan. The two players were tied after 15 holes before Menante birdied on 16 to take a slim lead. But Menante bogeyed 17 and Moldovan made par, tying the match up once again heading into the final hole. There, Menante found his form again, shooting a birdie the hole while Moldovan only made par.

Menante will face Sam Bennett on Saturday. Their match will begin at 3 p.m. at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J.

 

Featured image via Pepperdine Athletics/Jeff Golden


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