In his quest to become the sixth multiple winner of the U.S. Mid-Amateur, 2014 champion Scott Harvey couldn’t have scripted a much better start to his 36-hole final match against Stewart Hagestad, 25, of Newport Beach, Calif. Harvey, 38, won the 406-yard first hole on the North Course at Stonewall and, while Hagestad squared the match two holes later, Harvey regained a 1-up advantage on the par-4 fifth hole and holds a 3-up advantage through 18 holes. He has yet to trail today.
Harvey's Morning Line: 10 of 13 fairways hit; 13 of 18 greens in regulation:
"There’s so much room over there to drive the ball ... you can get away with it over there. I hit some good tee shots, but it just didn’t feel good. Under pressure, it might not be near as good. We’ll find out in a little bit on this golf course over here (Old Course) and see what happens."
Stats thru 18 holes:
— USGA (@USGA) September 15, 2016
Harvey - 10 of 13 fairways; 13 greens
Hagestad - 7 of 13 fairways; 9 greens
Harvey is 3 up pic.twitter.com/8bGkyltwOt
Meanwhile, Stewart Hagestad was not quite as sharp as Harvey in the early going. However, his confidence remains intact following a two-putt birdie on the par-5 18th hole (see video, below). Hagestad has played well on the Old Course in winning his five previous matches this week.
Hagestad on his outlook for the second 18:
"I played far from my best, but at the same time, I am still in it. All I’ve got to do is scare him a little bit. Match play is very momentum-driven and if I can keep chipping away and win a couple of holes. Hopefully I can make a couple of good [putts] and get myself back into this thing."
LIVE on #Periscope: No. 18 (North Course) in the #USMidAm Final at Stonewall. https://t.co/MykjjtuI06
— USGA (@USGA) September 15, 2016
Harvey was buoyed by the arrival of his wife, Kim, and 6-year-old son Cameron, who arrived just in time to see dad hit a lob wedge to 18 inches on the par-4 10th hole for a conceded birdie and a 3-up lead.
Harvey on seeing his family, who surprised him during the final match two years ago at Saucon Valley:
"This time I expected them to come. I was kind of looking for them after about four or five holes. There wasn’t an exact time they were supposed to be here. Then when they got there, it was a welcome sight."
A little mid-round motivation just arrived for @ScottHarvey78. #USMidAm pic.twitter.com/wgQcapORXY
— USGA (@USGA) September 15, 2016
