Lion Kim, David McDaniel advance to finals at US Amateur Public Links

Kim, McDaniel in finals at Public Links

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Lion Kim birdied his final two holes to beat Kevin Phelan in the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur Public Links on Friday, and will face David McDaniel for the championship at Bryan Park Golf and Conference Center.

The 21-year-old senior-to-be from the University of Michigan beat Phelan, who plays for North Florida, 1 up after making two long putts on the final two holes. McDaniel also won 1 up over Pepperdine’s Josh Anderson to set up Saturday’s final.

Kim trailed Phelan by two holes through No. 12 before finally getting hot. He pulled ahead by winning three of the next four, and although Phelan hit tight approach shots at Nos. 17 and 18, Kim rolled in putts from 20- and 10- feet to keep the lead and win the match.

The 25-year-old McDaniel, from Tucson, Ariz., took the lead in his match by winning Nos. 13 and 14, then finished off Anderson with a par as light ran fell on the last hole.

“Same thing I’ve been doing all week,” said McDaniel, who rallied from an early three-hole deficit. “I don’t want to get caught up with just being here.”

Three of the four quarterfinal matches earlier in the day went to extra holes.

McDaniel dropped Georgia’s Harris English in 19 holes, while Anderson needed one extra hole to eliminate former Washington star Darren Wallace. Phelan needed even more time to defeat Florida State’s Wesley Graham, finally wrapping up his match on the 21st hole.

Kim was forced to the 18th hole before ousting Washington’s Chris Williams, the reigning college freshman of the year.