Main wins Southern Am, qualifies for Arnold Palmer Invitational
CORDOVA , TN (July 18, 2009) -- Prior to this weekend, UCLA sophomore golfer Gregor Main listed his career high as making the cut in the PGA Tour Buick Open at Torrey Pines in February. “But this is definitely bigger,” Main said after winning the 103rd Southern Amateur Championship Saturday at Colonial Country Club. “Getting a ‘W’ in a big tournament like this is much bigger.”
Main , 20, the Pac-10 Freshman golfer of the year from Danville CA , posted a solid final round 70 for a 16-under-par 272 total and two-stroke margin over runnerup Taylor Hall of LaGrange GA. Hall had shared the lead with six holes to play, but his double-bogey 6 at the 14th hole left Main with a clear run at the title.
Overnight co-leader Mark Silvers could manage only an even-par 72 and was among a trio four shots back tied for third.
The victory earned Main an exemption to play in the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, which awards a berth to the Southern Am winner each year. “I’m truly excited about that. A chance to play in my second Tour event is awesome,” he said.
The 104th Southern Am will be played at Shoal Creek in Birmingham next July.
ABOUT THE Southern Amateur
The Southern Amateur, which dates back to 1902, is
one of two competitions held by the Southern Golf
Association (the other is the Southern Junior). This
is a 72-hole stroke play championship with a cut
made after 36 holes. Entries are open to any male
amateur golfer who has a current USGA Handicap
Index® not exceeding 3.4 under the USGA Handicap
System. Non-exempt players must pre-qualify at
one of the qualifying sites held across the southern
U.S. in the two months leading up to the
championship.
View Complete Tournament Information