James Piot will take a 1-up lead over Austin Greaser into the afternoon round of the 36-hole finale of the 121st U.S. Amateur at Oakmont Country Club.
The second 18 will begin at 2:30 p.m.
A fifth-year senior at Michigan State and a native of Canton, Mich., Piot was all square with Greaser, of Vandalia, Ohio, heading to the 18th hole in the morning round Sunday.
Greaser, a junior at North Carolina, had not played the final hole in five previous matches this week. But he bombed his drive and hit a short-iron approach.
Piot knocked his second shot close and, after Greaser three-putted, Piot’s birdie was conceded.
In the morning 18, Greaser took a 1-up lead into the ninth before Piot evened the match with a par save.
Greaser visited the famous Church Pew bunker on No. 4, but blasted out and made par.
More sand-trap prowess followed as Greaser holed out from a greenside bunker on No. 5 for a birdie to win the hole.
Piot had trouble hitting fairways on the first nine, but he stayed close. He won three straight holes and 9, 10 and 11, the last with a conceded birdie.
A large Michigan State contingent — men’s and women’s players — showed up to watch Piot.
Greaser drove the 378-yard 14th for the second straight day and two-putted for a birdie to win the hole and tie the match.
After dropping three straight holes, Greaser won three in a row on the back nine.
The second 18 will be televised from 3-4 p.m. on Golf Channel, and 4-6 on NBC.
