Noah Kent, Jose Luis Ballester win matches to reach US Amateur title match

Noah Kent holed a crucial 18-foot putt on the 15th hole to match birdies and stay 1 up, and the Iowa sophomore held on to beat Jackson Buchanan 2 up on Saturday to reach the championship match of the U.S. Amateur. Jose Luis Ballester of Spain won his semifinal match against fellow Spaniard Luis Masaveu, taking the lead for the first time with a birdie on the ninth hole and pulling away on the middle of the back nine at Hazeltine National. Kent and Ballester will meet in a 36-hole title match on Sunday.

Noah Kent, Jose Luis Ballester win matches to reach US Amateur title match

Noah Kent, Jose Luis Ballester win matches to reach US Amateur title match

Noah Kent, Jose Luis Ballester win matches to reach US Amateur title match

Noah Kent, Jose Luis Ballester win matches to reach US Amateur title match

Noah Kent, Jose Luis Ballester win matches to reach US Amateur title match