US Amateur: whom to watch in match play

In addition to the six guys with the identical initials TBD, there are a number of players who survived stroke play to make the round of 64 at match play in the US Amateur at Hazeltine Regional, err, National Golf Club. Here they are, in no particular order, with the reasoning they bear watching:

Tarik Can–Dates (or used to date) Paula Creamer

Jon Moore, Webb Simpson, Billy Horschel, Jon McLean–college studs having solid summer seasons

Rhys Davies, Richard Ramsey, Lloyd Saltman, Oliver Fisher–Euro Walker Cup heroes

Pablo Martin–ungrateful dirtbag who won a major amateur tournament (Porter Cup) in 2005, then decided not to defend, with nothing better to do.

Mark Strickland, Trip Kuehne, Skip Berkmeyer–Mid-Ams carrying the torch of the post-college amateur golfer

Antti Ahokas–He’s Finnish. He’s from Finland. For God’s Sake, He’s a Fin!

Rory Hie–This guy’s dad caddies for him, tells him what to do on every shot, and slows down play like you cannot imagine! If that’s not enough, he has his own website. I’m not kidding! Click here if you dare.

Julien Guerrier–Trying to claim the British Am-US Am double, probably the first guy to do it since Lawson Little.

Derek and Daryl Fathauer–they look alike, they swing alike, they’re identical twins!

If you’ve got a story on a qualifier to add, post it below.