Chung to meet Uihlein in US Am Final

BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2010 US Amateur Championship | Semi-Finals | 29 Aug 2010

Stanford’s David Chung is finding himself in familiar territory again as he faces off Peter Uihlein in the final of the US Amateur Championship being played at Chambers Bay south of Seattle.

His appearance in the final at this US Amateur is hardly a surprise as Chung has been the most successful amateur player of the season winning both the Porter Cup and Western Amateur.

At the 2004 US Junior as a 14-year-old he lost that match to current Stanford teammate Sihwan Kim, 1 down. Tomorrow he hopes to go one better and secure one of the most sought after crowns in amateur golf and claim the US Amateur Championship and in the process cap off what can only be described as a stellar year for Chung.

Uihlein should not be underestimated, however, Chung is an especially difficult match-play opponent as his record reveals.

He’s made the 2004 US Junior final, the semis at the 2005 US Junior and has won two prestigious match-play titles with this year’s Western Amateur a few week’s back north of Chicago and the 2009 North & South Amateur.

Chung also went 4-0 at this year’s Palmer Cup at Royal Portrush and whilst Chambers Bay like Whistling Straits is not a true links layout, the experiences in Ireland has certainly shown him how to navigate layouts like Chambers Bay which measures over 7000 yards and carves itself through the myriad of sand dunes that shoulder the tight and unforgiving fairways.

If there is a favourite for Sunday’s 36-hole final, you would have to go with Chung, not because of his efforts this year but the fact he’s won two of the pair’s three meetings.

Chung beat Uihlein, 1-up, in the first round of team match-play at this year’s NCAA Championship. Chung also beat Uihlein in 21 holes in the third round of the 2005 US Junior Amateur. Uihlein had earlier in their careers beaten Chung, 2&1, in the first round of the 2005 Polo Golf Junior Classic, but that was some time ago and both players have progressed since.

Uihlein to his credit has won two prestigious titles in Washington state in the past year with the Ping/Golfweek Invitational at Gold Mountain and the Sahalee Players Invitational. He was a first-team All-American at Oklahoma State and was a member of last year’s US Walker Cup team. These credentials rightly place him as the world’s number 1 ranked amateur.

Uihlein beat 18-year-old Patrick Cantlay, 4&3, in yesterday’s semifinals, never trailing in the match and was 2-under for the day after the match ended at the 15th hole. Chung ousted defending champion Byeong-Hun An, 1 up, in their match and never looking in trouble despite it being what he later described as one of his toughest encounters for the season.

“I’d have to say today was by far my toughest match of the tournament and the toughest match-play opponent I’ve played in a while,” Chung said of An.

An, an 18-year-old Korean native who surpassed Woods as the youngest US Amateur winner at 17 in 2009, was vying to become the first repeat winner since Woods, who won three consecutive US Amateur championships from 1994-1996.

Chung was decisive in his victory over An in a display of precision iron play under under the pressure of match-play, a scenario which Chung says he thrives under.

“It gets your blood going, it’s more intense,” says Chung about the pressures of match-play.

“It makes me focus a bit more, I guess, than stroke play. There’s much more riding on every shot you hit. It just kind of gets me more in the moment, gets me more focused. I think that’s what makes the difference between stroke play and match play for me.”

Both Uihlein and Chung know each others game well.

They’ve battled the odd tournament against each other for the past 10 years as they progressed through main US amateur events.

“Peter and I have played since we were 10 years old,” says Chung.

“The first time I saw him was at Mid Pines and Pinehurst. We were playing some Junior tournament. We played in the Junior Worlds that year. I’ve known him for a long time and we’re really good friends. I know he’s a great putter. He hits it far and that will make for a challenging final tomorrow.”

Uihlein is anticipating that the final will be a tough contest, especially given Chung’s fine run of form this season in the US.

“David’s playing great, and he’s won the last two tournaments,” says Uihlein, who will turn 21 during Sunday’s final.

“He’s just beaten Benny [An]. So tomorrow will be a good test. I’m going to try to go out and play my game. Just keep control in the match.”

The current world number 1 said there couldn’t be a better script than winning the US Amateur Championship on his 21st birthday but he noted that the challenge will certainly be presented by Chung, who coincidentally is the current world number 2.

“It would be picture perfect, but David’s a really good player,” he said.

Although only one can claim the title, yet both will receive invitations to the 2011 Masters at Augusta National.

Winning the US Amateur also brings spots in the following year’s US Open and British Open, so both Chung and Uihlein have a lot to play for in a final that’s between two of the world heavyweights of amateur golf.

Again the cream has risen to the top at a US Amateur and it sets the stage for a thrilling final as the two best players in the world do battle on a layout fitting a major championship.