St. Charles' Biddle Ends Memorable Week at U.S. Amateur

His “coming-out” party didn’t last as long as he wanted, but it was a memorable week nonetheless for St. Charles’ at the 2011 U.S. Amateur Championships.

The 19-year-old’s round of 16 match at Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, WI lasted 23 holes, longer than any match in the tournament. It ended when Biddle took a bogey on the 495-yard fifth hole, giving the victory to Kelly Kraft of Denton, TX.

Despite the loss, Biddle has plenty of positives to review. He finished second in the stroke-play portion of the event at 8-under, dominated his first-round match play opponent 5 and 3, then won another match before coming up just short against Kraft.

“I’ve known for a while I’m as good as any of these guys on any given day,” Biddle said. “But this gives me a lot of confidence for school and next summer and amateur golf. It was an encouraging week, that’s for sure.”

Biddle never led in the round of 16 match on Friday. He lost two of the first three holes, then fought back twice to tie the match, the last time on 18 when he made a par and Kraft took double bogey.

In the playoff, Kraft made a big par putt on No. 2, then Biddle did the same from six feet on No. 3.

“Every 3-footer you make in that situation I’d say is a pretty good putt,” he said. “You’re really nervous, I’m sure Kelly was pretty nervous out there.

“I feel like I played pretty consistent in the playoff, and he scrambled really, really well.”

On the fifth playoff hole, No. 5, Biddle said he struck was he thought was a great iron shot to a blind green. But he didn’t choose the right target and ended up in the thick rough right of the green, then failed to get up and down for par.

Biddle said he expects to leave this weekend for his sophomore year at UNLV. Classes begin Monday and starts soon after.