Randolph Takes Amateur Medal Honors : USC Golfer Barely Makes Tee Time; UCLA’s Waldorf Runner-Up

Sam Randolph survived a traffic jam that almost caused him to miss his starting time and shot a one-under-par 69 Wednesday to take medal honors at the U.S. Amateur golf tournament with a record-tying 36-hole total of 134.

Randolph, of Santa Barbara and USC, finished the two rounds at Montclair Golf Club at six under par. He was three strokes ahead of Walker Cup teammate Duffy Waldorf of Tarzana and UCLA.

Defending champion Scott Verplank was eight shots behind the leader but qualified for match play, which will be held through Sunday.

Randolph, runner-up in this event last year, equaled the previous medal-play mark set in 1979 by PGA Tour player Bobby Clampett.

“Obviously, I am playing well,” the 21-year-old Randolph said. “I can’t be any more ready. However, tomorrow, 64 guys start over again (with match play).”

The biggest problem Randolph faced Wednesday was the same one he faced Tuesday--getting to the golf course.

Tuesday, he locked himself out of the home at which he was staying, less than two hours before the tournament, and Wednesday, he was caught in traffic and arrived at the course just five minutes before his scheduled starting time.

“Tomorrow, I’m going to leave real early,” Randolph said.

Waldorf, a former high school football player, finished at 137, the only other golfer in the field of 282 to break par. He had rounds of 70 and 67.

Gary Nicklaus, the 16-year-old son of pro golfer Jack Nicklaus, had a second-round 79 and finished at 159, failing to qualify for match play in his first Amateur appearance.