By Mike London

mike.london@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — There was some terrific golf on display at the Rowan Masters on Saturday.

Andrew Morgan made his first career ace on the 233-yard No. 12 hole with a 6-iron, but he still didn’t win his second-round match. He lost 3 and 1 to Ritchie Fesperman.

Three second-round matches on Saturday morning were decided on the 18th hole, while two matches required extra holes. Keith Dorsett, the eight-time champion and one of the favorites, won in 20, as did No. 31 seed Curt Thomas.

Stephen Bullock, the No. 30 seed, Michael Swaringen and Derek Lipe were 1-up winners.

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In the quarterfinal matches on Saturday afternoon, defending champ and top-seeded Nick Lyerly was 5-under for 13 holes and rolled 7 and 5 against Derek Lipe, while Fesperman knocked out Thomas, 8 and 6.

Dorsett survived another battle, eliminating Robert Shoaf, 1-up, while Bullock’s improbable run continued with another 1-up triumph against Swaringen.

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In the Sunday semifinals at 8 a.m., Lyerly will take on Dorsett, while Bullock and Fesperman square off. The championship match is set for around 1 p.m.

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In Friday’s first-round action, Lyerly advanced easily with a 7 and 6 victory over No. 32 seed Will Fowler.

Lyerly, a rising senior at UNC Greensboro, was 2-under for 12 holes.

Second-seeded qualifying medalist Charlie Barr withdrew. His opponent, No. 31 seed Thomas, advanced.

Barr wasn’t able to play in the Rowan Masters because he was busy Friday making a run to the championship match of the North Carolina Junior Boys Championship in Winston-Salem.

The No. 3 seed, recent Salisbury High graduate Hank Robins who qualified with a 72, also is out of the Rowan Masters. Robins was knocked off by Bullock in the biggest upset of the opening round.

No. 4 seed Dorsett advanced via an injury default by No. 29 seed Cameron Williams.

Two matches came down to the 18th hole, with 19th-seeded Seth Waller nipping No. 14 seed Chris Williams and No. 10 seed Morgan topping No. 23 Kevin Stimberis.

 

First round, Friday, June 26

(1) Nick Lyerly d. (32) Will Fowler, 7 and 6

 (16) Landon Merrill d. (17) Dennis Brunelle, 5 and 3

(8) Derek Lipe d. (25) Pat Girard, 5 and 3

(9) Patrick Gregg d. (24) Dan Hurd, 2 and 1

(4) Keith Dorsett  adv. (29) Cameron Williams, injury default

(13) William Baude d. (20) Ben Rollins, 4 and 2

(5) Justin Lefler d. (28) Nick Funderburke, 5 and 4

(12) Robert Shoaf  vs. (21) Preston Jones, 7 and 6

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 (31) Curt Thomas adv. (2) Charlie Barr, withdrew

(15) Ryan Burke vs. (18) Mike Helms, 5 and 3

(7) Ritchie Fesperman d. (26) Jon Waller, 3 and 1

(10) Andrew Morgan d. (23) Kevin Stimberis, 1-up

(30) Stephen Bullock d. (3) Hank Robins, 3 and 1

(19) Seth Waller d. (14) Chris Williams, 1-up

(6) Michael Swaringen d. (27) Michael Dorsett,  3 and 2

(22) Owen Swavely d. (11) Sean Kramer, 2 and 1

 

Second round, Saturday, June 27

(1) Nick Lyerly d. (16) Landon Merrill, default

(8) Derek Lipe d. (9) Patrick Gregg, 1-up

(4) Keith Dorsett d. (13) William Baude, 20 holes

(12) Robert Shoaf d. (5) Justin Lefler, 3 and 2

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(31) Curt Thomas d. (15) Ryan Burke, 20 holes

(7) Ritchie Fesperman vs. (10) Andrew Morgan, 3 and 1

(30) Stephen Bullock d. (19) Seth Waller, 1-up

(6) Michael Swaringen d. (22) Owen Swavely, 1-up

 

Quarterfinals, Saturday, June 27

(1) Nick Lyerly d. (8) Derek Lipe, 7 and 5

(4) Keith Dorsett d. (12) Robert Shoaf, 1-up

(7) Ritchie Fesperman d. (31) Curt Thomas, 8 and 6

(30) Stephen Bullock d. (6) Michael Swaringen, 1-up

 

Semifinals, Sunday, June 28

(1) Nick Lyerly vs. (4) Keith Dorsett

(7) Ritchie Fesperman vs. (30) Stephen Bullock

Championship, Sunday, June 28

Semifinal winners