NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Spencer Ralston is headed to the "Sweet 16" at the 2018 Western Amateur in Northfield, Illinois, after the University of Georgia standout carded another pair of rounds under par on Thursday.
Ralston carded a 2-under-par 69 over 18 holes in the third round and followed that with a 1-under 70 in the fourth round to finish the stroke play portion of the tournament in ninth place and earn a berth into match play, which begins Friday at Sunset Ridge Country Club.
The Gainesville High grad opened the day in the lead after 36 stellar holes on Wednesday, and Ralston stayed within striking distance of stroke play medalists Cole Hammer of Texas and Sam Stevens of Kansas -- each of whom finished with a four-round total of 261, seven strokes in front of Ralston's 268.
Hammer actually set a course record on Thursday morning, scorching his way to a 10-under 61.
Ralston is set to follow in the footsteps of legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, who each competed in the late rounds of the Western Amateur.
The Western Amateur will be streamed live for the first time beginning at 10 a.m. Friday on the Golf Channel website.
