Salinda falls short in US Amateur golf

Isaiah Salinda ran out of holes in his comeback bid, dropping a 1-up decision to Devon Bling in the semifinals of the US Amateur golf championship at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California Saturday.

Salinda fought back from two holes down in the early going with back-to-back birdies from No. 6 but lost Nos. 8 and 12 to fall behind again. The world No. 73 birdied No. 13 to pull within one again but Bling, way down at 302 in the world ranking, birdied the par-14 to gain another two-hole cushion.

After both parred No. 15, Salinda, seeking to become the first Filipino champion of the prestigious event, struck back with a birdie on No. 16 but settled for pars in the last two holes, enabling Bling to secure the victory.

“I didn’t really know what to expect coming into this week but once I made the match play, I thought I had a pretty good chance and kept advancing,” said Salinda. “But I played well today (Saturday). That’s all I could ask for. But Devon played awesome.”

That set up Bling, from California, against Viktor Hovland of Norway, who disposed of Cole Hammer, 3 and 2, in their side of the semis duel.