Field Set for Met Junior Semifinals
2021 Met Junior runner up John Hiller is making another run in 2022.
SETAUKET, N.Y. (July 19, 2022) - The 105th Met Junior Championship Sponsored by MetLife continued at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in heatwave conditions for the Round of 16 and quarterfinals. At the end of the day, the field was narrowed down to the final eight golfers for tomorrow's semifinals and ultimately championship match.
Related: Match Play Bracket
Tyler Lee of Franklin Lakes, N.J., continued to play dominant throughout his two rounds of match play. He shot 6-under through 12 holes in the morning, making five birdies and an eagle to earn the 7-and-5 victory against Elliot Parker of Cranford, N.J. Lee went on to defeat Barnes Blake of Westfield, N.J., by a 2-and-1 margin, continuing his run of bogey-free golf to 59 straight holes. When asked about his play these past two days, Lee attributed his success to his tee shots and putting.
“I’ve been playing really well off the tee, playing smart, hitting a lot of greens, which definitely helps. I’ve been putting really well, no three putts so far for the tournament, so that’s really been helping me out a lot,” said Lee.
This isn’t Lee’s first time playing and having success in the Met Junior Championship and he’s excited to be back.
“This is one of my favorite tournaments of all year," says Lee, who has advanced to match play three consecutive years in the nation's oldest junior championship. "I love the match play format. This year I have definitely improved by match play and I’ve felt like this course fits well for me so I’m excited for the rest of the week.”
He will tee off at 7:30 a.m. against Derek Gutierrez of Cranford, N.J., who defeated Michael Ostrower of New York, N.Y., 2-and-1, and pulled away from Chad Ruggiero of Greenwich, Conn., to win 4 and 3. Looking ahead to tomorrow, Lee will bring the same mindset he’s had the past two days, “[I'll] take it one shot at a time, play the par-5s really well, and score when I can.”
Last year's runner up, John Hiller of New York, N.Y., started off the day with a tight match against Jonathan Oakes of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., Hiller and Oakes rounded out the front nines tied, having each won two holes. Hiller managed to pull away in the back, carding wins on hole Nos. 10, 12, 13 and 14 to lead him to the 3-and-2 victory.
Hiller continued his sharp play in the afternoon, who pulled away from competitor Andrew Lim of Skillman, N.J. early. Hiller shot an an impressive 6-under through 13 holes, finishing the quarterfinal match with a 6-and-5 win.
“I’m playing really well, so I hope to keep the confidence up going into tomorrow,” said Hiller. “I just have to stick to my game and see what happens.”
Meanwhile, CJ Merritt of Plainview, N.Y., earned a hard-fought 1-up victory in his morning match against Jack Estrella of Brookville, N.Y., before taking down Winston Blank of Rumson, N.J., by a 3-and-2 margin in the afternoon.
Thursday's semifinals begins with Lee against Gutierrez at 7:30 a.m., and Merritt vs. Hiller at 7:40 a.m.