Erin, WI (Sports Network) - Patrick Cantlay's summer included making the cut in four straight PGA Tour events and a tie for 21st at the U.S. Open.

The following week, he took the 36-hole lead at the Travelers Championship after firing a 60 in round two. Now, he is making a run at the U.S. Amateur.

Cantlay, the NCAA freshman and player of the year, needed 19 holes on Friday to fend off Max Buckley and move into the semifinals at the U.S. Amateur Championship.

Buckley took out NCAA champion John Peterson in the round three before falling to Cantlay at the Erin Hills Golf Course.

Cantlay will face off against Jordan Russell in the semis. The 22-year-old Russell ousted 64-seed Bobby Leopold in 19 holes in round three, then held off 2010 champion Peter Uihlein, 2 & 1, in the quarterfinals.

"He kind of swung it right around the turn, which has happened a couple times in my matches, but I think I made probably a 60-footer on 13, so that kind of flipped it right there and then I made birdie on the next hole," said Russell, whom Uihlein called the most underrated player in college golf.

The other semifinal will pit Texan Kelly Kraft against England's Jack Senior.

Kraft needed 23 holes to beat Blake Biddle in the third round before crushing Patrick Rodgers, 6 & 4, in the quarters. Rodgers, who will play on the U.S. Walker Cup team next month, took out Sunil Jung in round three.

"I just putted great. You know, I hit good shots, and then made putts when I needed to," Kraft stated. "I didn't miss very many putts out there, especially makeable ones."

Senior, who will play for the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team, took down 2009 and 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur Champion Jordan Spieth, 1-up, in the quarters.

After weather problems earlier in the week, the championship is back on schedule with the semifinals slated for Saturday and the 36-hole final on tap for Sunday.

08/26 21:15:26 ET