Aug. 11, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina sophomores Matt NeSmith and Will Starke will open play in the 113th U.S. Amateur Championship on Monday in Brookline, Mass.

Both Gamecocks will tee off in the first round on the par-70, 6,574-yard course at Charles River Country Club. Half of the field will also play on the par-70, 7,310-yard layout at The Country Club on Monday. The golfers will switch courses for Tuesday’s second round.

The championship, which runs through Aug. 18, will begin with a field of 312 golfers who will play 18 holes of stroke play on Monday and Tuesday. Following stroke play, the field will be cut to the low 64 scorers for six rounds of match play.

Starke and NeSmith qualified for the U.S. Amateur by finishing second and third, respectively, at a sectional qualifier at Columbia Country Club in July. A native of Chapin, S.C., Starke posted a two-round total of 136 (-6). NeSmith, a native of North Augusta, S.C., turned in a total of 137 (-5).

NeSmith is scheduled to tee off in the first round at 9 a.m. on Monday, while Starke will begin play at 1:45 p.m. Live scoring will be available at USGA.org.