Wheeler falls in round of 32 at Missouri Amateur Championship

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Sikeston's Gabe Wheeler fell in the round of 32 at the Missouri Amateur Championship Golf Tournament Friday morning at the Jefferson City Country Club.

Wheeler lost 2 and 1 to the leader after the stroke play portion of the tournament, Luigi Botta of Columbia, Mo.

Botta won the first four holes before Wheeler made a comeback, winning holes

5 and 6. Botta answered with wins on holes 7 and 8 before Wheeler claimes holes 9, 10 and 13.

Trailing by just one, Botta took holes 14 and 15 to have a three-hole lead with three to play. Wheeler won hole 16 but each player parred the 17th hole, giving the match to Botta.