Defending champ Kang advances to quarters in U.S. Women's Amateur

Defending champion Danielle Kang won two matches Thursday to advance to quarterfinals in the U.S. Women's Amateur at Rhode Island Country Club.

The 18-year-old Kang, from Westlake Village, Calif., holed a 9-iron shot for eagle on the par-4 14th to finish off 17-year-old Emma Talley of Princeton, Ky., 6 and 4, then beat 14-year-old Cindy Ha of Demarest, N.J., 2 and 1.

In the third round, Kang made a 3-foot birdie putt on the 15th and an 8-footer on the 16th to take a 2-up lead. She hit her tee shot within 2 feet on the par-3 17th, and Ha onceded the putt and the match.

"I was unsure of myself until No. 15," Kang said, "and for somebody young, Cindy is really good. It was whoever made minimum mistakes. We're both tired."

Kang will face Demi Frances Runas of Torrance, Calif. Runas beat Lisa McCloskey of Montgomery, Texas, in 19 holes in the third round.

In the other upper-bracket quarterfinal, Brooke Pancake of Chattanooga, Tenn., will play Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash.

In the lower bracket, Stephanie Kono of Honolulu will face NCAA champion Austin Ernst of Seneca, S.C.; and Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn will play Casey Danielson of Osceola, Wis.

The semifinals are Saturday, and the 36-hole final is Sunday.