hr: Golfing

Jamie Lovemark has not played the 18th hole at Pinehurst’s No. 2 course since his second round of stroke-play qualifying on Tuesday.

Lovemark, however, is certain to see the 445-yard, par-4 finishing hole at least once Sunday as he takes on Florida State senior Matt Savage in the 36-hole final of the 108th North & South Amateur Championship.

Lovemark, a junior at USC and a two-time first-team All-American, advanced to the championship match Saturday with a 6-and-4 victory over North Carolina sophomore Kevin O’Connell.

Savage also cruised in his semifinal showdown with a 4-and-3 win over Duke junior Adam Long.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Savage said in a Golfweek interview. “Jamie’s the favorite and is a great player.

Lovemark, the 2007 NCAA Champion, has been on his game throughout the week. After medaling with a 5-under 136 in stroke-play qualifying, he won his first two matches on the 13th hole.

He was stretched to the 17th hole in the third round when he beat Zack Byrd, 2 and 1. In the quarterfinals, he beat Ferdinand Aunzo, 3 and 2.

“Right now I’m feeling good about my game,” Lovemark said. “It’s been a successful week so far, especially learning the golf course and getting the needed knowledge you have to have around and on the greens.”

After O’Connell won the second hole with a par, the match belonged to Lovemark. He won No. 3 with a birdie and Nos. 5 and 6 with pars to go 2 up. Another birdie at No. 8 and a conceded tap-in birdie at No. 10 extended his lead to 4 up. He closed out the match with birdies on Nos. 13 and 14.

O’Connell never had a chance to capitalize or build momentum in the match.

Savage was given a quick dose of reality on the first hole when Long holed out his approach shot for eagle.

For Long, who was the last player to qualify for match play as the 64th seed, it would be his only lead of the day.

The two engaged in a back-and-forth battle throughout the day, but Savage’s seven birdies – including an 18-footer on the 15th – eventually gave him the win.