SMU men's golf sophomore and Highland Park native Scott Abbott has advanced to the second round of match play at the 101st U.S. Amateur at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

Playing the oldest player in the field, Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C., Abbott finished Simson out on the 15th hole, winning four and three for the match. Highlighted by a streak of three consecutive birdies on holes nine, 10, and 11, Abbott went from being one up to four up in that short span of three holes. Abbott was the first player to advance to second round action Wednesday.

"We are looking forward to Scott continuing his fine play at the U.S. Amateur," SMU head coach Ted Gleason said. "It will be exciting to follow him throughout the matches."

Abbott will now play the winner of the Steve Sokol and Daniel Ozley match Thursday morning at 6:40 a.m. central time. If successful, Abbott will advance to third round match play which will commence at approximately 12:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

This year's U.S. Amateur will be televised beginning today and running through Friday on ESPN from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. NBC will pick up weekend coverage and will broadcast live from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Abbott qualified for Wednesday's match play by shooting a two round stroke total of 143, including a second round one over-par 73 Tuesday afternoon at the alternate course of Druid Hills after firing an even par 70 in Monday's first round at East Lake Golf Club, the host course of this year's U.S. Amateur.

Senior All-American Franklin Hatchett shot a second round 77 on Tuesday, missing the cut by five shots.