Sion Audrain defends High Plains Amateur Title
8/27/2017 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: View results for High Plains Amateur, Mariah Hills Golf Course
Sion Audrain rallied from two-strokes back at the start of the final round
GARDEN CITY, KS (August 27, 2017) - Last year Sion Audrain became the youngest player to ever win the High Plains Amateur and now a year later he has successfully defended his title. Trailing by two at the start of the final round at The Golf Club at Southwind Audrain didn't play lights out golf on the final day but he did enough to come from behind.
Starting the day at level-par following a 71, Audrain closed with a 3-over 74 to finish 3-over which was still good enough to produce a three-stroke victory.
Audrain began his round quickly with birdies on Nos. 2 and 4 before holding on for dear life the rest of the way as he bogeyed the 6th hole, double-bogeyed the 13th, bogeyed the 15th and 18th holes.
A trio of players --Jeff Bell, Witchayapat Sinsrang and Saksit Jairak-- shared second at 6-over while Jeffrey Topp, Bradley Lane and first round leader Walker Frey shared fifth at 7-over.
In he Senior Division Michael Casamento finished 2-over to take the title while in the Masters Division Sean Robertson posted a 1-over tally to win by two shots.
ROUND ONE RECAP
Walker Frey was the only player to turn in an under-par round and he leads after day one of the High Plains Amateur hosted by The Golf Club at Southwind.
Frey, who fired a 2-under 69, birdied four-times and bogeyed twice on Saturday. The day started with an impressive birdie on No. 1 before Frey followed it up with birdies on Nos. 3, 6 and 9. The bogeys for Frey, who will try to hold on during Sunday's final round, came on the 4th and 10th holes.
Defending champion Sion Audrain is in second place at even-par while Matthew Quandt, Saksit Jairak and Cole Gritton are tied for third at 1-over.
Audrain had a chance to hold a share of the lead after he played Nos. 11-15 in 3-under to reach 2-under but bogeys on Nos. 17 and 18 followed that dropped him back to level-par.
About the High Plains Amateur
Format: 36 Holes of stroke play with Open, Masters and Senior divisions. Eligibility: Members of the Colorado, Kansas, Sun Country Golf Association who have an officially verified USGA handicap index.
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