Aug. 12, 2009

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Baylor men's golfer Cody Paladino, who will be a junior during the 2009-10 season, shot a 4-under 140 to earn a spot in the 2009 U.S. Amateur in a qualifier at Wampanoag Country Club Tuesday. After shooting a first-round even-par 72, Paladino rebounded with a 4-under 68 in the afternoon round, tying two other players for medalist honors.

As a sophomore last season, Paladino became the first golfer in Baylor men's golf program history to earn an individual spot at the NCAA Championships after winning a two-hole playoff at the NCAA South Central Regional in Stillwater, Okla. In July, Paladino advanced to the Round of 64 match-play at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship for the second consecutive summer.

The 2009 U.S. Amateur Championship will be held Aug. 24-30 on the par-72 Old Course at the historic Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. Southern Hills, the site of 14 major championships and most recently the 2007 PGA Championship, will host the U.S. Amateur for the second time.

For more information on the championship, visit www.USGA.org or www.2009USAmateur.com.