Moore leads way at U.S. Amateur

Adam Candee

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003 | 9:20 a.m.

Ryan Moore knows well that the U.S. Amateur, layered with a week's grind of stroke and match play, is much more a marathon than a sprint.

Yet Moore, a junior at UNLV, also knows the value of racing to an opening round score of 5-under 65 to lead the 312-man field after the first day in Oakmont, Pa.

"It was just one of those days," Moore said. "Obviously, I didn't really plan on shooting 65."

With players alternating between Oakmont Country Club and Pittsburgh Field Club for two days of stroke play, Moore took advantage of good conditions on the reputedly easier Field Club course to card six birdies and jump to a two-stroke lead.

"Definitely the more scoreable of the two," Moore said of PFC. "Oakmont's just a brute. You shoot 70 out there and that's a task."

After today's second round of stroke play, the field will be cut down to the low 64 players. That group will begin the match play tournament that runs through Sunday and is played exclusively at Oakmont.

Moore said that a new set of Titleist irons is allowing him to better feel the club head throughout his swing and that a new copy of his old Scotty Cameron putter is giving him confidence on the greens.

That putter will come in handy on Oakmont's sloping monsters.

"There's not one flat putt on that entire golf course," Moore said. "I looked, I tried. And they're fast, too."

UNLV coach Dwaine Knight, however, thinks that Moore's recent selection to the United States Walker Cup squad may also be putting spring in his star's step.

"I think this pick to the Walker Cup might be the inspiration he needs to take his game to the next level," Knight said.

Themed in Ryder Cup style, the Walker Cup is the world's most prestigious amateur event, pitting 10 Americans against the 10 best from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The match is scheduled for Sept. 6-7 in North Yorkshire, England.

In fact, without his selection to the Walker Cup squad, Moore would not be playing the Amateur. Moore failed to register for the event by the July 2 deadline, citing confusion over paperwork between he and his father.

Playing what he feels is his best golf of the summer, Moore is ready to attack Oakmont much the same way he did PFC.

"My mindset is not changing a bit," Moore said.

Three of Moore's UNLV teammates are also competing in the Amateur. Junior J.C. Deacon fired a 7-over 77 at PFC, while junior Travis Whisman shot 10-over 80 and sophomore Ryan Keeney posted a 14-over 84 at Oakmont.