U.S. Junior Amateur finals will pit N.Y.'s Liu vs. Kentucky's Thomas

Jim Liu of Smithtown, N.Y., will face Justin Thomas of Goshen, Ky., on Saturday in the championship match of the U.S. Junior Amateur. The 14-year-old Liu defeated fellow New Yorker Gavin Hall, from Pittsford, 1 up in the quarterfinals on Friday morning on the Classic Course at Egypt Valley Country Club. Liu then won his afternoon semifinal, 3 and 2, over 14-year-old Robbie Shelton of Wilmer, Ala. The only lead Thomas had in his afternoon match was following the 19th hole, when he defeated Denny McCarthy of Burtonsville, Md. The 17-year-old Thomas beat Scott Wolfes of St. Simons Island, Ga., 2 and 1 in the quarterfinals. Thomas was the only semifinalist to break par in the tournaments two qualifying rounds.