Buckley Still in Play at Erin Hills

After an early wakeup call Thursday, Max Buckley had better be ready to go.

He resumes his match at the U.S. Amateur Championships at 7:15 a.m., and when he stands on the 15th tee, down 2 holes to Patrick Christovich, it’s all about making birdies on the tough Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, WI.

“I have to fire at every flag,” Buckley said after his match was halted by darkness Wednesday. “Regardless of where he is or what he’s doing, I need to make birdies because par’s not going to do it.”

Buckley, a senior at Southern Methodist University and a 2010 Academic All-American, won the first hole in Wednesday’s match but quickly lost Nos. 2-5 and fell 3 down.

“I was in between clubs and maybe just tried to do a little too much and hit everything to the left,” Buckley said.

From there he held steady until the 10th, making a nice par 4 after wedging out of deep grass and sinking a 10-footer. Christovich made bogey and the lead was now 2 up. Buckley picked up another hole on the 13th, making par when Christovich again bogeyed.

Then, with darkness closing in, the 33-year-old former professional regained a 2 up advantage with a creative par from a clumsy sidehill lie near the green on the par-5. He chipped to about 5 feet and made the putt.

The winner of the match advances to the final 32 of the tournament, and will turn around and play another match Thursday. The tournament is scheduled to conclude on Sunday with a 36-hole final.

Follow the action on the USGA website.