In Tale Of 2 Players, Thompson Wins

By Stuart Hall

San Francisco – Oscar Madison and Felix Unger had nothing on Thursday’s David McDaniel versus Michael Thompson third-round U.S. Amateur match.

There was McDaniel, a 22-year-old former University of Arizona college player content staying an amateur. Clad in shorts and a non-descript golf shirt, he didn’t have afternoon stubble, but rather a full-blown National Hockey League playoff beard. McDaniel shrugged when asked if he believes in his talent.

Michael Thompson won just two holes with birdies in his third-round match against David McDaniel. (John Mummert/USGA)

Then there was Thompson, a 22-year-old University of Alabama senior via Tulane University and Hurricane Katrina. From head to toe, Thompson’s sartorial choice is that of a consummate tour professional, which he aspires to become. Unlike McDaniel, Thompson is not shy to express his confidence.

Unlike others in the field who had no idea who McDaniel was, Thompson was not about to be duped by appearance alone.

"I’ve actually known David for a long time, since our days in junior golf," Thompson said. "David is a really good player, and somewhere along the way he hurt his back and I think it set him back a little."

Not much apparently, because Thompson had to grind out a 2-and-1 victory to advance to Friday morning’s quarterfinals. Thompson, advancing his furthest in three U.S. Amateur appearances, will face red-hot Derek Fathauer in the morning’s first match.

Fathauer needed just 27 holes on Thursday to dispatch of his two opponents – 7 and 6 over Chris Kirk in the morning and 6 and 4 over Jason Kokrak in the afternoon.

"It’s going to be a really hard match," Thompson said.

Later, Thompson, of Tucson, Ariz. admitted that he had visions of earning one of the two final USA Walker Cup positions that will be announced soon after the U.S. Amateur.

"Do I think about it during the round? No,’" said Thompson, who this summer has tied for 14th at the Southern Amateur, finished second at the Players Am and won the Greystone Invitational.

"But when the day is done, I really do. And I think I deserve to be considered on the short list. [U.S. captain] Buddy Marucci came up to me after I beat Webb Simpson [in the first round] and told me I played well. So that tells me they know about me."

Thompson’s tale resonates with many. He began his collegiate career at Tulane, but when Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and the university, the men’s golf program was disbanded. After two years at Tulane, Alabama accepted Thompson with open arms - and for good reason.

He led the Crimson Tide in stroke average, and finished tied for fourth at the Southeastern Conference, NCAA Central Regional and NCAA Championships.

"Every time I get in these situations, it’s such a learning experience," Thompson said. "This is my third Amateur and I’m well past being nervous. You learn to control your emotions, to play in front of crowds and such things. If you’re going to be a pro, these are the things you need to learn."

McDaniel, also of Tucson, Ariz., grew up on a healthy diet of junior golf, often crossing paths with Thompson. But their paths have since diverged. While he’s a senior at Arizona, he’s not on the Wildcats’ golf team, instead solely majoring in education.

Ultimately, Thompson wore down McDaniel, literally and figuratively. Thompson was three over through 17 with the usual concessions.

"I knew with the way the wind was blowing in the afternoon that par was going to keep me in a lot of holes," Thompson said, "so that’s what I tried to do. Just make par."

In a match that was squared three times, Thompson took his final lead with a birdie on the 186-yard, par-3 13^th hole.

McDaniel, at that point, appeared fatigued and somewhat deflated.

"I’m not going to make excuses, but I never walk 36 holes," said McDaniel, who suffers from Sherman’s Disease, a condition that results in extreme back pain, especially when hunched over for long periods of time. "I probably played better than I thought I would, but I still hit a lot of poor shots.

"I’m disappointed right now, but when I have a chance to look at the broader picture, I’m sure I’ll have surprised myself a little."

McDaniel will not be a surprise to anyone else either.

Stuart Hall is a writer for the Golf Press Association whose work has appeared previously on www.usamateur.org.