PINEHURST, N.C. -- Austin Squires advanced to the U.S. Amateur quarterfinals for the second straight year after winning two matches Thursday.
The former Cincinnati player beat Stefano Mazzoli in 19 holes in the round of 32, then topped John Pak 2 and 1 in the round of 16 at Pinehurst No. 2.
The two victories came a day after Squires -- the world's 146th-ranked player who lost to eventual champion Viktor Hovland in last year's quarterfinals at Pebble Beach -- claimed the last spot in the field of 64 on the fourth hole of a 27-for-3 playoff.