Resilient

Photo Courtesy USGA/JD Cuban

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Senior Isaiah Salinda started strong, then dug deep Friday to advance to the semifinals of the 118th U.S. Amateur Championship at iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links.
 
After jumping out to a 4-up advantage after six holes against Vanderbilt standout Will Gordon of North Carolina, Salinda dropped three consecutive holes and saw his lead trimmed to one. He never lost it, thanks to several clutch par saves and a sensational approach at the par-4 16th resulting in a tap-in birdie
 
Salinda clinched the victory with another beautiful iron at the testy par-3 17th, two-putting for a 2 and 1 win.
 
On Saturday, he plays UCLA sophomore Devon Bling of UCLA at 8 a.m. PDT. The second semifinal pits Cole Hammer against Viktor Hovland.
 
Fox Sports will carry live coverage from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT.
 
Winners meet in the 36-hole final on Sunday.
 
Salinda is trying to become the third Cardinal golfer to secure a U.S. Amateur crown, joining Tiger Woods (1994-95-96) and Lawson Little (1935-36). 
 
Former Stanford teammate Bradley Knox has caddied for Salinda all week. He's also received great support from family, friends and current Stanford players and alums.
A South San Francisco native, Salinda qualified for match play on Monday and Tuesday, shooting a 3-under-par 68 at Pebble Beach. He followed with a 4-over 76 at Spyglass Hill Golf Course to earn one of 64 spots.
 
In his first round match Wednesday at Pebble Beach, Salinda was 2-under through 13 holes and scored a 6 and 5 win against Will Grimmer.
 
On Thursday morning, Salinda defeated Trevor Phillips, 5 and 4. Salinda came out firing with birdies on three of the first four holes. He collected six birdies overall and was 4-under for the match.
 
In the afternoon, Salinda rallied for a darma-packed up victory against Stewart Hagestad, the 2016 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion. Salinda was 2-down after 10 holes, but rebounded with birdies at 11 and 15 to even the match.
 
Salinda never led until the par-5 18th hole. All square through 17 holes, he reached the famed seaside masterpiece in two with a big drive and a 4-iron, two-putting for a birdie from about 25 feet.
Putting just inside him, Hagstead narrowly missed his birdie attmept to force a sudden death playoff.
 
"I thought it was in the whole way," said Salinda. "I'm sure he did, too. You've got to expect your opponent to make it, and I thought we were going extra holes."
 
Salinda overcame adversity. His driver cracked on the second tee and he was fortunate to receive a similar model on the third hole thanks to quick work from equipment representatives.
 
"They did a great job," Salinda said. "Just had to adjust, and it was fine."
 
Salinda credited Knox for helping with his pre-shot routine and keeping him calm. Knox earned his Stanford degree in June.
 
"He knows my game really well," said Salinda.
 
A PING All-America honorable mention selection for the Cardinal in 2017-18, Salinda entered the U.S. Amateur on a roll.
 
In June, he tied for 15th in the NCAA Championships. That helped springboard Salinda to victory in late July at the prestigious Pacific Coast Amateur Championship at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. In the second round, he set a tournament and competitive course record with a 9-under 62 on the Lake Course, site of five U.S. Opens.
 
Salinda backed up that performance by reaching the Round of 16 in the Western Amateur in St. Louis. He punched his ticket to Pebble Beach by claiming medalist honors in sectional qualifying at Coldstream County Club in Cincinnati, finishing with a 36-hole total of 9-under 133.