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James Lepp leads field at U.S. Amateurs golf

University of Washington senior James Lepp easily won medalist honors for the stroke play portion of the U.S. Amateur on Tuesday at Merion Golf Club. Lepp shot a 5-under 65 for a two-day, 36-hole total of 5-under 135. That put him atop the field of 312 competitors and makes him the top seed heading into match play. Korey Mahoney, an Eastern Michigan senior, was four shots behind Lepp at 139 after shooting a 67 on the Philadelphia Country Club course. Lepp had six birdies and one bogey during Tuesday`s round. His score was the best by any player during the second round.

Lepp, who earned an exemption into the tournament by virtue of winning the NCAA individual title in May, opened the tournament Monday by carding an even-par 70 at Philadelphia Country Club. Match play among the top 64 began yesterday and continues through Sunday on the Merion Course. Lepp will play the No. 64 seed, which was still to be determined in a playoff. A total of 19 players tied for 48th at 6-over, forcing the playoff this for the final 17 spots.

A single round of match play was scheduled for Wednesday, followed by the second round and the round of 16 Thursday. Quarterfinals are on Friday, semis on Saturday and the 36-hole final is on Sunday. Last year, Puyallup`s Ryan Moore won the last four holes in the final to beat Luke List, 2-up, at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, N.Y. Moore turned pro after this year`s U.S. Open. List failed to advance to match play this time, opening with an 80 on Monday at Merion and shooting a 69 on Tuesday at Philadelphia Country Club.