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The stage is set for the final match of the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, South Carolina.
Bryan Kim, 18, and Joshua Bai, 17, will battle it out in the 36-hole final Saturday. The match will begin at 8 a.m. ET, and will resume after lunch at 1:30 p.m. Golf Channel will have coverage from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Kim, of Brookeville, Maryland, defeated Will Hartman of Charlotte, North Carolina, 2 and 1, in the semifinals.
“I didn’t even imagine this last year after missing the cut, and the year before, but I knew my game this year was in a good spot,” said Kim, who will be a freshman at Duke in a few months. “I didn’t have the tournament results that I wanted earlier this summer, but I knew I was coming around, just working a lot on my game, and I felt like I was kind of due to play some good golf, so hopefully I can keep it up and maybe bring home the title.”
In two previous trips to the U.S. Junior Amateur, Kim failed to make it to the match play stage.
Bai bested Billy Davis of Spring Valley, California, 3 and 1. Bai is looking to become the fourth USGA champion from New Zealand.
“It’s really cool,” said Bai. “Just thinking about how the Kiwi Michael Campbell, how he won at Pinehurst, and how cool it to be to follow in his footsteps and try to be there. It would mean a lot.”
The winner on Saturday will receive an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Open being held at Pinehurst No. 2.