By Craig Smith, USGA

Village of Pinehurst, N.C. – Top-ranked Danny Lee, 18, of New Zealand, took a step closer to becoming the youngest U.S. Amateur champion Friday after winning his quarterfinal match at Pinehurst No. 2. Lee will face 18-year-old Patrick Reed of Augusta, Ga., in one semifinal match Saturday while Adam Mitchell, 21, of Chattanooga, Tenn., will meet Drew Kittleson, 19, of Scottsdale, Ariz., in the second semifinal match. The 36-hole final is set for Sunday.

One month past his 18^th birthday, Lee would be six months younger than Tiger Woods was in 1994, when Woods won the first of his three consecutive Amateur titles.

Lee, who won the 2008 Western Amateur and finished tied for 20^th at last week’s PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship, where he played on a sponsor’s exemption, once again jumped out to an early lead on the 7,281-yard, par-70, layout that has hosted two U.S. Opens in the last 10 years.

He won three of the first four holes against Morgan Hoffmann, 19, of Saddle Brook, N.J., was never challenged, and closed out the match, 4 and 3. Lee also defeated Hoffmann in a quarterfinal match at the Western Amateur. The high school senior has only lost seven holes in winning his four matches thus far.

"My iron shots went really well and the putter went well, too," Lee said. "All I have to do now is play well tomorrow (Saturday) and I have to play well in the finals."

Reed won three consecutive holes to go 4 up after 11 holes against Graham Hill, 22, of Canada, winning 4 and 3.

"I’m just having fun out there," Reed said. "Whatever happens, happens."

Kittleson scored the biggest upset of the day, handily beating 2008 U.S. Open qualifier Derek Fathauer, 22, of Jensen Beach, Fla., 3 and 2. Kittleson had consecutive winning birdies to move in front after five holes, 2 up. He increased his lead to 4 up after 11.

"My game has come around the last month or so," Kittleson said. "It just has come together at a good time."

Mitchell, who won the 2008 Porter Cup, rallied to win three consecutive holes to hold a 1-up lead after nine. He chipped in for birdie on the seventh, and four holes later increased his lead with an eagle 2 from 165 yards on the par-4 11^th. He held his lead from there to win, 2 and 1.

Saturday’s winners earn a full exemption to the 2009 U.S. Open and a probable invitation to the 2009 Masters Tournament. The champion also earns a spot in the 2009 British Open.

Both the semifinal and final matches will be televised on the Golf Channel; from noon to 2 p.m. (EDT) Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

The Amateur is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

Craig Smith is the USGA’s Director of Media Relations. E-mail him with questions or comments at csmith@usga.org.

Village of Pinehurst, N.C. – Results of Friday’s quarterfinal matches at the U.S. Amateur, played at the 7,281-yard, par 70, No. 2 course:

Drew Kittleson, Scottsdale, Ariz. (143) def. Derek Fathauer, Jensen Beach, Fla. (140), 3 and 2
Adam Mitchell, Chattanooga, Tenn. (144) def. Charlie Holland, Dallas, Texas (143), 2 and 1
Danny Lee, New Zealand (141) def. Morgan Hoffmann, Saddle Brook, N.J. (143), 4 and 3
Patrick Reed, Augusta, Ga. (144) def. Graham Hill, Canada (142), 4 and 3

Saturday’s Semifinal Pairings (Times EDT):

9 a.m. – Kittleson vs. Mitchell
9:15 a.m. – Lee vs. Reed