Temple's Matthews advances in U.S. Amateur

Brandon Matthews, a sophomore at Temple, fired a 2-over-par 72 Tuesday at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., to qualify for match play competition in the 113th U.S. Amateur Championship.

Matthews, who leads the Golf Association of Philadelphia player of the year standings after wins in the Philadelphia Open and the Patterson Cup, offset a double bogey and four bogeys with four birdies to complete the 36-hole qualifying phase at 1-over 141.

Matthews opened with a 69 Monday at Charles River Country Club, the other qualifying site. He was the only one of seven Philadelphia-area contestants to advance to the 64-man match play competition starting Wednesday at The Country Club.

Those playing Tuesday at Charles River were Brandon Dalinka of Newtown (75-149), Chris Crawford of Bensalem (71-151), Stephen Seiden of Drexel Hill (72-154), Zach Herr of New Hope (76-157), and Sean Fahey of Villanova (74-157). Scott Jaster of Bryn Mawr shot a 77 at The Country Club for a 156 total.

A playoff was conducted at 4-over 144 to determine the final spots for match play.

Heavy rain washed out the second round of the Pennsylvania Open at Commonwealth National Golf Club in Horsham. Officials decided to trim the competition to 36 holes and cut the field to the low 40 players and ties for Wednesday's final round.

T.J. Howe of Osceola, Pa., held a 1-stroke lead after Monday's opening round over professionals Andrew Mason of Huntingdon Valley and Chad Bricker of Waynesboro and amateur Chris Ault of Yardley.

The weather also wiped out the scheduled first round of match play in the Pennsylvania State Women's Amateur Championship at Gulph Mills Golf Club in King of Prussia. The event resumes Wednesday.

Ellen Ceresko of Glenmaura National is the defending champion and top seed. The next three seeds are Kelli Pry of Coatesville, who led the qualifying round with a 73; Jackie Rogowicz of Yardley; and Erica Herr of Jericho National.