McCulla, Pfeiffer advance to second round of match play at Missouri Amateur Championship

HOLLISTER, Mo. — Alex McCulla is taking aim at a major amateur championship.

The Quincy native and Illinois State University junior golfer advanced to the second round of match play at the Missouri Amateur Championship with a dominant effort Thursday at Payne’s Valley Golf Course.

McCulla, who was seeded second among the 64 golfers to advance following two rounds of stroke play, beat Fabian Oechsle 5 & 3. It was the fourth largest margin of victory among the 32 matches played. St. Louis’ Kevin Jesche won 7 & 6, while Hermann’s Thomas Henson and Carthage’s Robert Sager each won 5 & 4.

Quincy’s Adam Pfeiffer also advanced to the round of 32, beating St. Louis’ Brian Lovett 3 & 2.

McCulla, who won the Quincy Men’s City Championship in May, fired rounds of 5-under 67 and 4-under 68 to finish 36 holes of stroke play in second place at 9-under 135. Lenexa, Kan., golfer Cade Uhlenhake was the stroke play medalist at 10-under 134.

McCulla made six birdies and an eagle during the opening round, offsetting three bogeys. In the second round, he made five birdies against one bogey.

Chesterfield’s Max Kriekemeier shot the low round of stroke play, carding a 7-under 65 in the opening round.

Pfeiffer shot an even-par 72 in the opening round and a 1-under 71 the final 18 holes to tie for 23rd. In the first round, the eight-time Quincy city champion had three birdies, an eagle and five bogeys. In the second round, Pfeiffer had five birdies and four bogeys.

McCulla and Pfeiffer will tee it up Friday in the Round of 32 and will have to win two matches to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals.