By Ryan Ernst
Enquirer staff writer

BUTLER, Ky. - A half-hour after he won his first match at this year's Northern Kentucky Men's Amateur, defending champion Lance Lucas sped around the Pendleton Country Club golf course in a cart, watching tight matches play out all over the back nine.

"This is worth the price of admission," he said, zooming away to watch the final championship-flight match of the day, what turned out to be a one-hole playoff between Joe Hays and Jeff Floyd.

On the tournament's second day, the field was cut in half, and the cuts came by the slimmest of margins. Eight of the 16 matches in the championship flight were decided on the final hole, three of which turned out to be playoff holes.

Lucas' opponent today in the round of 16, Todd Martin, made Wednesday's most dramatic run to force and win a playoff. The former pro was down two holes to 2002 champion Rob Clarke through 16. Martin then hit a 40-foot birdie putt to win No. 17, a 20-foot eagle putt to force the playoff and an 18-foot birdie putt to win the match.

"I putted real bad all day until the last three holes, really bad," Martin said. "Then the hole just kind of got in the way. I feel kinda bad about it."

Tim Hartig also knew that bittersweet feeling. He qualified for the championship flight Wednesday morning by beating his brother Dan. Hartig then had to play good friend Scott Hansel. The two were even through 17 holes, but Hansel hit two balls out of bounds on 18.

"You hate to win it like that," Hartig said. "But a victory is a victory."

Although other matches offered more drama and intrigue, none had the fanfare of Hays' over Floyd. After Hays chipped in for eagle on 18, the final championship-flight match went to a playoff hole with a line of golf carts in tow. Hays parred the first hole to win the match, capping a back-and-forth day.

Even defending champ Lucas had some trouble. Rob Flanigan, who along with Hartig made the flight after a three-man playoff, won the first two holes against Lucas before losing 4 and 3.

"There was some concern, but I wouldn't say panic," Lucas said. "Match play's a funny thing. There are a lot of mental aspects to it. ...If you let a guy get up, then he thinks he can beat you. But I eventually beared down."

Today marks the second round of match play, with eight matches in each flight. The winners advance to Friday's stroke-play final.

E-mail rernst@enquirer.com