10-under 62 lifts Sean McWilliams to Tempe Amateur title

January 22, 2017 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

First round Sam Johann Diamond ended up tied for third at 6-under

TEMPE, AZ (January 22, 2017) -- It doesn't get much better than what Sean McWilliams was able to do in the final round of the Tempe Amateur. Five behind at the start of the final day at Ken McDonald Golf Course, McWilliams rallied in a big way with a 10-under 62 that pushed him to 11-under and four-strokes in front of the rest of the field. The fireworks for McWillams began with a birdie on the first two holes and continued with three more front nine birdies and just one bogey for a 4-under 32 side. However, that wasn't even the better of the two nine for McWilliams. Turning in 5-under for the tournament McWilliams really kicked things into high gear with birdies on six of the nine homeward holes. The birdies were produced on the 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th holes. Mason Andersen placed second at 10-under after a Sunday 7-under 65 that left him one shot short of a playoff. Andersen birdied Nos. 15-17 to reach 10-under but couldn't find a fourth straight birdie and he had to settle for a second place finish. Blaine Staggs and first round leader Sam Johann Diamond shared third at 6-under while Paige Peterson Ken Kellaney were 5-under and fifth. ROUND ONE RECAP Sam Johann Diamond took the first round lead at the Tempe Amateur hosted by Ken McDonald Golf Course. Diamond was able to move in front thanks to a bogey-free 6-under 66 that gave him a two-stroke lead. Teeing of on No. 10, Diamond parred his first four holes before rolling in four straight birdies from Nos. 14-17. He rolled in two more birdies on the 4th and 6th holes. Blaine Staggs used a 4-under 68 to take solo hold of second place. Staggs carded three birdies, a bogey and the highlight of his day an eagle on the par-5 4th. Ken Kellaney and Mason Andersen are sharing third place at 3-under while Rick Bojalad, Ben Harden and Sean McWilliams are tied for fifth at 1-under.

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