ARDMORE, Pa.--USC Aiken senior golfer Dane Burkhart won two of the final four holes on Thursday morning to close out his match with stroke play medalist James Lepp 2 and 1 in the second round of match play at the 105th United States Amateur at historic Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. In what might be a first in the history of the US Amateur, today’s match featured the reigning NCAA Division I and II individual champions. But it was Burkhart, the 32nd seed in the 64-player field, knocking off Lepp, a star at the University of Washington and the top seed.

Out of 7,320 entries to the United States Golf Association (USGA) with a 2.4 handicap or better, only 312 golfers made the cut after 36 holes of sectional qualifying in late July. Now the field has been cut even farther, down to the final 16.

Historic Merion Golf Club is serving as the host for what was once considered one of golf’s major championships. Merion has hosted 16 USGA championships, more than any other club, including four US Opens and five US Amateurs.

Less than 24 hours after eliminating All-American and Walker Cup member John Holmes from the tournament in what the Golf Channel announcers called “the upset of the day”, USC Aiken’s “Great Dane” as he has been tabbed in the local media did it again.

Burkhart took the early lead with a par on the 219-yard, par three third. Lepp bogeyed the hole, giving Burkhart the 1 UP advantage. It stayed that way until Lepp made his biggest run of the match. Back-to-back bogeys by Burkhart on the par four seventh and eighth holes put the reigning Division II Player of the Year behind for the first time in the match.

The Aiken native, however, responded with a win on the par three ninth to make the turn at all square. After halving 10, Burkhart again took the lead winning number 11 with a birdie three on the 367-yard hole. Lepp answered with a birdie two on the 13th to even the match for the final time. Burkhart wasted no time in regaining control taking the 14th with a birdie. After halving 15 and 16, Burkhart won 17 with a par to win the match 2 and 1.

Burkhart now advances to this afternoon’s third round and will face Dillon Dougherty of Woodland, Calif., the 16th seed, at 1:15 PM. He defeated Alex Knoll 5 and 3. Three more victories would put Burkhart in Sunday’s 36-hole championship and earn him an invitation to the 2006 Masters.

The Golf Channel will continue its live coverage with Thursday’s third round from 4:00 to 6:00 PM EDT. The back nine of Burkhart’s match should be carried live this afternoon.