Speirs advances at U.S. tourney

WHEATON, Ill. – Bangor’s Jesse Speirs has qualified for Thursday’s first round of match play at the U.S. Public Links Championship after making the cut with a score of 149 following Wednesday’s second round of stroke-play qualifying.

Speirs’ match was one of 17 that were suspended due to darkness Wednesday after rain and storms caused numerous delays, but every player with a score of 151 or lower moved on from the qualifying rounds at the 7,048-yard, par-72 Cantigny Golf Course.

In one of the 15 first round matches played Wednesday, Andy Roberts beat Mark Harrell 3 and 2 in match play, becoming the first No. 64 seed to upset No. 1 since 2002.

Roberts, of Owensboro, Ky., emerged from a 19-man playoff to secure one of the final 16 spots of match play. Then he defeated Harrell.

“That’s neat,” the 27-year-old Roberts said. “To beat number one is great but it’s still a long way from over.”

Harrell, of Hazlehurst, Ga., was one of five players to complete the stroke play qualifying rounds under par, finishing two shots ahead of Lucas Lee of Brazil, Eddie Olson of Aptos, Calif., and Clayton Rask of Ostego, Minn.

Danny Lee of New Zealand was 2 under, and Zack Byrd of Calabash, N.C., was 1 under.

Defending champion Casey Watabu of Kapaa, Hawaii, rebounded from an opening round 80 to shoot a 4-under 68 and easily make match play with a total of 4-over 148.

All 32 matches started Wednesday, and 15 finished before play was suspended due to darkness. The remaining 17 first-round matches will conclude as the second round begins Thursday morning.