Giebler wins a classic in 24 holes to reach quarterfinals of Missouri Amateur

~ The local golfer survived Friday's third-round match against Sundvold

Dalhousie Golf Club member Brevin Giebler seems to have taken the role of host at the 105th Missouri Amateur to heart.

The 36-year-old Giebler apparently has assumed the role of entertaining the guests.

Thanks to Giebler, there's been a good show to watch throughout the tournament as Dalhousie hosts the tournament for the first time.

Giebler fired an 8-under-par 28 over the back nine during the final round of stroke play.

Wilson Sundvold watches his tee shot on the eighth hole during his third-round match against Brevin Giebler at the Missouri Amateur on Friday. Sundvold is the son of former Missouri basketball standout Jon Sundvold.

His encore was a thrilling 24-hole victory Friday over University of Missouri golf team member Wilson Sundvold to reach Saturday's quarterfinals.

The win was the second 1-up victory for Giebler on the day, and while there is still some golf to be played, it may go down as the most memorable and entertaining match of the tournament.

Even Sundvold, a 19-year-old sophomore and son of Mizzou basketball great Jon Sundvold, had an appreciation in the moments after a loss that attracted a growing gallery as it played out.

"That was the most fun I've ever had playing golf," Sundvold said. "It was disappointing to lose, but that's all I can ask for. That was awesome, just awesome."

Giebler had earned the medalist honor and top seed in the 64-player match play through the two days of stroke play, but he was nearly ousted by Sundvold, the 48th seed.

It may not have been best of ideas for Giebler to get into a sudden-death contest with the offspring of a man known for his dead-eye accuracy at putting a ball in a cylinder.

"I knew who his dad was," Giebler said. "Dad said he was one of the best long-distance shooters he's ever seen."

And the son displayed the same penchant, most notably on the fifth playoff hole.

Giebler seemingly had the upper hand on the par 3 hole with a 10-foot birdie putt. Sundvold's ball sat some 35 feet above the hole near the fringe.

Wilson Sundvold lived up to the family name on his birdie attempt. His putt rolled and rolled, then disappeared.

"I guess we've got a little competitive nature in the family," Sundvold said.

Giebler's birdie putt instantly was transformed from luxury to essential.

"I didn't see that coming, but he made it, and I had to make mine, and I did," Giebler said.

Giebler struck his putt and began moving for the cup immediately. The firmly struck ball hit dead center.

It was the second time the pair had matched birdies in the playoff, which also included a delicate up-and-down par by both players.

The end came minutes later on the short par 4 sixth, when Giebler banged his second shot, a 30-yard chip from just off the green, against the pin. It settled less than two feet past the hole. Sundvold pitched to within eight feet, but saw his last-gasp putt die just right of the lip.

"We went blow-for-blow, and I came out on top," Giebler. "It was a great match."

Giebler looked exhausted and relieved as he accepted handshakes and hugs on the green from members and friends, who also expressed congratulations and admiration to Sundvold.

"It was a fun day, though," Giebler said. "I'm happy I won, and I'm happy it's over."

The match lasted about five hours, which was the combined time of his two previous wins.

Giebler, who previously had not won more than one match at a Missouri Amateur, had won the first three holes of the match against Sundvold and appeared in sailing mode for his third match victory of the tournament and a spot in the quarterfinals.

Sundvold was on the ropes on the fourth hole, but began to turn the tables when he negotiated a tricky two-putt for par while Giebler three-putted for bogey.

The game was on between two contrasting players.

Sundvold, a thin, small-framed player, preferred to walk, and did so in a slow metronome fashion. He was meticulous in preparing for each shot.

It appeared to be an uncomfortable pace for Giebler, who usually pulled up in a cart next to his ball, surveyed the situation, tugged at a sleeve and fired away.

"It was slower than normal," Giebler said. "I'm use to fast pace. This morning and yesterday, we zipped along real well. But it was OK. I just had to slow myself down. I adjusted."

But not before taking penalty strokes on two tee shots and hacking a third out of a hazard.

By the time he bounced a ball off a spectators head on the par-3 13th, he had lost his lead and fallen in a 2-down hole.

He got a break when Sundvold three-putted on the 14th green to drop the hole.

It was at that point that Giebler changed his approach to a round.

"I was just trying to grind too much," Giebler said. "Then I just said, ‘Let's just hit the ball and go play.' It started working a little better."

A different player emerged on the par-5 15th hole. Giebler outdrove Sundvold by 75 yards, then launched a 3-wood shot 267 yards into a breeze. The ball came to rest 20 feet from the pin, and Sundvold conceded the eagle putt to square the match after he spent five shots getting on the green.

Giebler then moved ahead with a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 16, pumping his fist as the ball fell.

Sundvold evened the match when he sank an eight-foot par putt on No. 17.

Both players narrowly missed birdie putts on 18, with Giebler's attempt catching the lip.

Sundvold then missed a 5-foot birdie putt to win on the first playoff hole, and both players sank short birdie putts on the second.

"He's a great player," Giebler said. "We matched birdie for birdie."

Giebler had advanced to the third round with a 1-up victory against Eric Ecker of Springfield, Mo.

The two other local golfers remaining in the field were eliminated Friday.

Brent Holmes of Cape Girardeau won his second-round match Friday morning, defeating Garrett Sneed of Chesterfield, Mo., 3 and 2. Holmes then lost 2-up to Ryan Zech of Kearney, Mo., in the third round.

Tim Simmons of Jackson dropped his second-round morning match to Joseph Atkisson of Springfield, Mo., 4 and 3.