Nietfeldt, Freeman, Easley, Freeman move into Nebraska Men's Match Play semis

BEATRICE, Neb. – The semifinals of the Nebraska Men’s Match Play Championship got off to a delayed start, thanks to a marathon quarterfinal match between 2003 champion Ryan Nietfeldt and former NFL running back Danny Woodhead.

Nietfeldt made a late charge before finally edging Woodhead in the seventh additional hole, the 25th played by the pair on Thursday. It was one hole shy of being the longest match in Nebraska Match Play history.

Woodhead was 3 up through 15 holes, but Nietfeldt rallied to win the 16th, 17th and 18th to force extra golf before ultimately claiming the victory.

Top-seeded Calvin Freeman, the golf coach at nearby Southeast Community College, finished strong over the final three holes to knock off Norfolk native and current Oklahoma Sooner Luke Kluver. Freeman took the 16th and 18th holes after Kluver, the 2020 champion, had tied the match with a birdie on the par-3 15th.

Lincoln’s David Easley built a four-hole lead after six holes and held off a back-nine rally by Omaha’s Matt Quandt to book his spot in the semifinals.

Defending champion Johnny Spellerberg trailed La Vista’s Alex Zillig entering the 15th hole, but Spellerberg won the next three holes to claim victory with one more to play.

Freeman will take on Easley in the afternoon semifinals, while Nietfeldt will immediately roll into his semifinal against Spellerberg.