USGA Publinx: Watabu over Kim in Final
(Photo by Robert Walker/USGA)
Bremerton, Wash. (July 15, 2006) -– Casey Watabu, 22, of Kapaa, Hawaii, earned a 4-and-3 victory over Anthony Kim, 21, of Traverse City, Mich., to win the 81st U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, which concluded Saturday at the par-72, 7,061-yard Gold Mountain Golf Club.
Watabu took a 5-up lead into the lunchbreak after the first 18 holes, with a large portion of that margin due to his stellar play on the back nine, where he won four holes including No. 18 (with a birdie).
Coming out strong for the second 18, Watabu birdied the first two holes to take a commanding 7-up lead. Kim, a member of 2005's victorious USA Walker Cup team, attempted to mount one of the comebacks that had helped him get to this point in the bracket, but even with birdies at Nos. 4, 6, and 7 getting him back to 4-down, that was as close as he would get and Watabu closed the match out No. 15, 4-and-3.
A detailed story will be coming soon.
ABOUT THE U.S. Amateur Public Links
The U.S. Amateur Public Links is one of 13
national championships conducted by the
USGA.
It is designed for players who do not have
playing
privileges at a private club. See USGA
website for
details and complete description of
eligibility
requirements.
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