The odds of Ben James (Milford, Conn.) facing off against a player with a better World Amateur Golf Ranking during the U.S. Amateur were low. He entered the week in Colorado as the sixth-best amateur in the world. The No. 2 and No. 3 ranked players weren't even in the field.
However, in the Round of 16, James, who plays for Virginia, dueled with David Ford, who is ranked No. 4 in the WAGR. The University of North Carolina lefty has some serious firepower, and the two competitors know each other well as ACC rivals.
The match du jour on Thursday was between James and Ford. Once again, James was embroiled in a close match. The opening nine holes saw James win just the second hole. Ford managed to grab a 1-up lead heading to the back nine after a birdie on the eighth hole.
On the back nine, the duo delivered the goods to everyone watching at Cherry Hills and on their couches at home.