Robby Shelton, the match-play killer, was in fine form early on Friday morning at the Western Amateur and relied on a steady game the rest of the way to lead him to a 3-and-2 victory over Jack Maguire and move on to the quarterfinals.
Among the Sweet 16 group, Maguire may have been the most difficult opponent the Alabama junior could have drawn. Shelton and Maguire are friends, but the Florida State junior was arguably the second-most talented competitor in the match-play bracket after coming off a first-team All-American season with the Seminoles.
To make matters worse for Shelton, Maguire played his last 13 holes Thursday in 7 under – nearly holing his last approach shot of the day – to surge into the match play on the number.