Davis Stuns Dewey to Keep Mid Am Tradition Alive
No 63 seed ousts co medalist as opening day produces drama at Troon
Las Vegas - Ian Davis delivered the latest reminder that seeding means little in match play when he knocked out co-medalist Patrick Dewey in the opening round of the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Troon Country Club.
Davis, 36, from Edmond, Oklahoma, used four straight winning holes from the sixth to the 10th to build a decisive lead and close out Dewey, the No. 2 seed, 3 and 2. It marked the fourth time in two months that a No. 63 seed had advanced in a USGA championship.
“My caddie was asking me if seeding really mattered,” Davis said. “As long as you make it into match play, anything can happen.”
Top seed Cody Massa survived a tough test against playoff qualifier Troy Vannucci, while his younger brother Bobby, the 2024 runner-up, defeated reigning U.S. Senior Amateur champion Louis Brown. Defending champion Evan Beck and three-time winner Stewart Hagestad also advanced, while Arizona hopefuls Drew Kittleson and Chris Kamin kept local interest alive.
Match play resumes Tuesday with the Round of 32 in the morning followed by the Round of 16 in the afternoon. With daylight at a premium in the desert, split tees will be used to keep the championship on schedule.