Kent Hsiao (JAGA Photo)
Recap courtesy of Jacksonville Area Golf Association In one of the tightest finishes in the history of the JAGA First Coast Amateur, this year’s eighth playing came down to the final two putts today on the 54th hole at Amelia National Golf and Country Club.
Purdue junior Kent Hsiao shot a final round 7-under 65, and the University of Central Florida senior Egor Eroshenko shot a final round 4-under 68 and were tied at 10-under par coming to the 460-yard, par-4 No. 18. Both of their approach shots set up birdie possibilities – Eroshenko from 15 feet and Hsiao from 12 feet. Eroshenko missed, then Hsiao calmly rolled in his for the victory.
Hsiao posted scores of 71-69-65-205 to finish 11-under for his three trips around the 7,166-yard Tom Fazio layout. The difference was four birdies in his last five holes and an incoming nine of 31.
Eroshenko carded 68-70-68-206 to finish 10-under. He led entering the final round by one over Ian Meyer, who shot a final round even-par 72 and finished fourth.
The Taiwan native thus became the third Purdue Boilermaker to win the First Coast Amateur, dating back to its first playing in 2017. Purdue coach Rob Bradley’s son, Cole, collected trophies in 2018 at Hidden Hills and in 2020 at The Conservatory at Hammock Beach Resort.
Florida State freshman Wilmer Edero of Sweden bogeyed the final hole to drop out of contention. He shot 4-under 68 to finish third at 8-under.
Just last month, Hsiao visited the First Coast and finished third in the St. Augustine Amateur at St. Johns Golf Club in Elkton, three back of St. Augustine’s Brody Stevenson, who plays for Florida Gulf Coast. Stevenson tied for fifth at Amelia National.
With ten players competing, Coach Bradley has much reason for encouragement with the Spring season about to get underway. In addition to Hsiao’s win, Yilin Sin tied for fifth, Nels Surtani tied for ninth, and Kentaro Nananyama finished T11.
Defending champion Brock Healy, who transferred from Kennesaw State to the University of South Florida last year, was T11.
Recently graduated University of North Florida Osprey Cody Carroll was T7. A pair of current Ospreys, Andrew Riley and Cody’s freshman brother Chase Carroll were T11 and T17, respectively.
Ty Gingerich, who has played in all eight First Coast Amateurs, finished 24th.
ABOUT THE First Coast Amateur
The First Coast Amateur attracts some of the nation’s
top
amateur, collegiate and junior
talent, a handful of international players, and many
of the best golfers from North
Florida and other Florida cities. Contestants must be
16 years of age.
The championship is 54 holes of stroke play and
ends on the Martin Luther
King holiday.
The field grows strong each year, and with it the
waiting list. So if you're interested in playing some
wonderful North Florida golf very close the
headquarters of the PGA Tour, we recommend
submitting your entry early. All entries are subject to
approval by the tournament committee; a minimum
handicap of 4.0 and resume of tournament
accomplishments is required.
View Complete Tournament Information