July 17, 2008

AUBURN - The United States maintained its two-point lead following the second round of the 33rd annual Fuji Xerox USA vs. Japan Collegiate Championship at the Tokyo Golf Club. The two teams split the day's singles matches to give Team USA a 19-17 lead. Auburn freshman Cydney Clanton was among the individual winners as she defeated Yumi Takabayashi, 75-79.

Things looked bleak for the American team early as they led only three matches and trailed in seven halfway through the second round. Ryan Spears battled back from a three shot deficit and halved the opening match with Shintaro Kobayashi, 70-70. Spears stuffed his approach shot on No. 18 to within three feet to lead to a birdie to complete the comeback. Sam Cyr fell to Hiroki Abe 75-76. Kevin O'Connell trailed most of the front nine in his match before taking the lead for good in his 72-74 win against Hiroki Nishida.

Japan would claim the next two matches when Daisuke Okabe and Shunsuke Sonoda defeated Brent Witcher and Andrew Putnam, respectively. Okabe lead by four shots after 10 before holding on to a 70-71 victory. Sonoda controlled his match throughout, winning 67-72. Chris Wolfe overcame a four-shot deficit at the turn and shot one-under on the back nine for the biggest comeback of the day when he beat Yoshihiro Kamei, 75-78. Tomohiro Wakabayashi downed Nick Bova 71-77. Zack Sucher and Yuki Usami halved the final men's match, 71-71. Sucher left a putt two inches short that would have clinched the match before Usami drained a nine-footer for the halve.

The U.S. women won three of four matches. Jessica Yadloczky took the lead at No. 7 and never looked back in her 75-79 victory against Hiroki Ayada. Lizette Salas led early in her match against Nane Shinzato before falling, 75-77. Team USA claimed the final two matches. Sydnee Michaels dominated with a five-under-par 69 in her 13-stroke victory over Kaori Azuma. Clanton took the lead after the first hole and led throughout - 75-79 - against Yumi Takabayashi to maintain the two-point team lead.

Round Two Results
Ryan Spears, USA halved Shintaro Kobayashi, Japan, 70-70
Hiroki Abe, Japan def. Sam Cyr, USA, 75-76
Kevin O'Connell, USA defeated Hiroki Nishida, Japan, 72-74
Daisuke Okabe, Japan def. Brent Witcher, USA, 70-71
Shunsuke Sonoda, Japan def. Andrew Putnam, USA, 67-72
Chis Wolfe, USA def. Yoshihiro Kamei, Japan, 75-78
Tomohiro Wakabayashi, Japan def. Nick Bova, USA, 71-77
Zack Sucher, USA halved Yuki Usami, Japan, 71-71
Jessica Yadloczky, USA def. Hiroko Ayada, Japan, 75-79
Nanae Shinzato, Japan def. Lizette Salas, USA, 75-77
Sydnee Michaels, USA def. Kaori Azuma, Japan, 69-82
Cydney Clanton, USA def. Yumi Takabayashi, Japan, 75-79

Final Round Pairings
Ryan Spears, USA vs. Yoshihiro Kamie, Japan
Zack Sucher, USA vs. Tomohiro Wakabayashi, Japan
Kevin O'Connell, USA vs. Hiroki Nishida, Japan
Chris Wolfe, USA vs. Daisuke Okabe, Japan
Nick Bova, USA vs. Shunsuke Sonoda, Japan
Andrew Putnam, USA vs. Hiroki Abe, Japan
Brent Witcher, USA vs. Yuki Usami, Japan
Sam Cyr, USA vs. Shintaro Kobayashi, Japan
Jessica Yadloczky, USA vs. Nanae Shinzato, Japan
Lizette Salas, USA vs. Yumi Takabayashi, Japan
Cydney Clanton, USA vs. Kaori Azuma, Japan
Sydnee Michaels, USA vs. Hiroko Ayada, Japan