BEAUMONT, CA (September 4, 2017) - 16-year-old high school junior Edwin Kuang of Murrieta, CA won the Inland Empire Amateur Championship Monday, shooting a final-round four-under 67, and then winning on the first playoff hole.
Kuang entered the final round one shot behind the co-leaders, Han Seop Lee (Chino Hills, CA) and Cullen Brasfield (La Quinta, CA) who started the day with one under par 143 totals.
At the turn it was Lee who had a one shot lead at two under for the tournament, with Kuang and Brasfield on shot back. But things started to change quickly on the back nine.
Lee birdied the 10th and 11th to move three ahead of both players with seven holes to go, but then Kuang made his move, going eagle-par-birdie-birdie to pick up four shots over Lee and take the lead by one. Braswell made two birdies of his own over that stretch and stayed within two shots.
After all three players parred 16 and 17, Kuang needed a par on the last to win but instead made bogey, allowing Lee to tie him and force a playoff.
The playoff only lasted one hole as Lee found the hazard, and Kuang's par was good enough to secure the win.
Kuang (67) and Lee (68) finished at four-under 211, with Brasfield (70) solo third at two-under 213.
Kyle Haas (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) had the round of the day, a nine-birdie 65, to move into fourth place alone at three-over 218.
In the never-give-up department, two performances are worthy of mention. Ryan Fisher of Corona had a 108 in the first round but made an eagle and two birdies in round two to be one-over through 14 before ultimately finishing with a 79. Mitchell Martin of San Luis Obispo shot a 87 in the first round but had six birdies in a second-round 70 that gave him a chance to make the cut (he missed by just one shot).
ABOUT THE Inland Empire Amateur
The Inland Empire Amateur Championship is
a
three day event played at three courses in an
area
where Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernadino
and
Orange Counties all come together. Format is 54
holes of stroke play with the top 40% advancing to
the final round. Played each year over Labor Day
weekend.
Flights:
Championship Flight - 5.0 and below
First Flight - 5.1 to 9.0
Second Flight - 9.1 to 15.0
View Complete Tournament Information