Aug. 24, 2005

ARDMORE, PA - Saint Joseph's golfers Billy Stewart and Ryan Barnett missed the cut at the 105th US Amateur Tuesday afternoon.

Stewart, who will begin his senior season on Hawk Hill this fall, entered Tuesday's final round in the middle of the pack after posting an opening-round 72 at Merion Golf Club.

Unfortunately for the Devon, PA native, a three holes at Philadelphia Country Club proved a difficult challenge. Stewart shot four-over-par during a three-hole stretch, including a double bogey on the 15th hole. Stewart's third shot on the long par-4, from a green-side bunker, flew over the green and left Stewart scrambling to finish with a six.

A 30-foot birdie putt on his final hole, No. 9, left Stewart with a two-round score of 148, and watching the leaderbaord to see if he made the cut for the 64-man match play portion of the US Amateur Championship.

Watching the scoreboard from home, Stewart's strong finish fell short, as the cut as set at 146, two shots below his 148.

"It's disappointing," Stewart told a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter. "I really thought I had a chance to do well in match play."

Stewart's teammate, Barnett didn't fair any better in the final round of stroke play on Tuesday. The Syosset, NY native, who posted a 79 at the Philadelphia Country Club on Monday, finished yesterday with a 96 at Merion Golf Club. He posted a final score of 79-96/177.

Individually, University of Washington senior and 2005 NCAA Medalist James Lepp won medalist honors for the stroke play portion of the US Amateur with five-under-par 135.

The match play portion of the US Amateur, which decides the tournament's champion, begins Wednesday at Merion Golf Club and continues through Sunday, August 28.