Victory advances Stanford’s Salinda into tourney semis

PEBBLE BEACH — Stanford senior Isaiah Salinda, coming off a victory in the Pacific Amateur Championship last month, moved a step closer to another significant title Friday by advancing into the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Salinda, a South San Francisco native who was the No. 29 seed in the tournament, edged Vanderbilt’s Will Gordon of Davidson, N.C., 2 and 1. Salinda birdied the first hole to take a 1-up lead, grew his cushion to 4 up and then held on against the fifth-seeded Gordon.

Salinda clinched the victory with an iron onto the green on No. 17 that set up a two-putt for par. Gordon also parred No. 17.

Salinda, who tied for 24th in stroke play, KO’d the No. 36 seed, No. 61 seed and No. 13 seed en route to the quarterfinals.

Next up for Salinda will be UCLA sophomore Devon Bling on Saturday. Bling, the No. 41 seed, downed Davis Riley of Hattiesburg, Miss., 1 up.

Salinda is vying to become the third Cardinal to win the U.S. Amateur, joining Tiger Woods (1994-95-96) and Lawson Little (1935-36).

“Things are just together in all parts of my game for the last month or so,” Salinda said. “I’m just getting mentally tougher. I’ve never been in this position before.”

The other semifinal will match Texas teen Cole Hammer and Norway’s Viktor Hovland.

Hammer, an 18-year-old Houston player heading to the University of Texas this fall, beat England’s Alex Fitzpatrick 3 and 2. Hammer is 17-1 in match play this year, winning the Western Amateur and teaming with Garrett Barber to take the U.S. Amateur FourBall.

Hovland, a junior at Oklahoma State, had his second straight 7-and-6 victory, routing Austin Squires of Union, Ky.

The semifinal winners will advance to the 36-hole final Sunday.