Harrell wins stroke play, falls in match play

WHEATON, Ill. | Last summer Mark Harrell finished second in stroke play at the United States Amateur. On Wednesday he bettered that finish in another major amateur event.

Harrell, who will be a senior this fall on the University of Alabama golf team, finished first in stroke play at the weather-delayed U.S. Amateur Public Links.

The Hazlehurst, Ga., native finished 5-under par in the two rounds of stroke play to best the field of 155. He shot 69-70 -- 139 to finish two strokes ahead of Brazil’s Lee Lucas, California’s Eddie Olson and Minnesota’s Clayton Rask.

In his second round of stroke play Wednesday, Harrell made the turn at 2-over and birdied four holes on the back nine.

Harrell and the low 64 scorers from the two rounds of stroke play immediately began match play. Harrell lost to Andy Roberts of Owensboro, Ky., 3 and 2.

“It was a lot of fun," said Harrell of winning the stroke play, “I guess winning is winning. It was nice to come out on top in stroke play, but the real tournament didn’t start until the match play."