U.S. Amateur Public Links: Niebrugge returns for title defense

July 13, 2014 | by

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Follow live 1st round scores as Jordan Niebrugge looks to defend his title at the last Publinks before Four-Ball replaces it in May

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by Jack Persons, AmateurGolf.com

NEWTON, Kan. (July 14, 2014) -- The United States Golf Association has decided to trade in the old, worn out Public Links for a newer, trendier national championship: the Four-Ball. All the more reason for the players at Sand Creek Station to make this iteration of the tournament one to remember.

The 89th and final U.S. Amateur Public Links teed off Monday morning in Newton, Kan., with 156 players vying to become the next—and last—USAPL champion.

Defending champion Jordan Niebrugge of Oklahoma State will be the favorite heading into the event. He capped a banner week in 2013 at Laurel Hill Golf Course in Lorton, Va. with a 1-up victory over Jack Nicklaus Award winner Michael Kim of Cal.

Count Canadian Garrett Rank as another who could go all the way at Sand Creek Station. Rank, who earned a runner-up finish at the 2012 U.S. Mid-Amateur and medalist honors at last year’s Public Links, is playing some fantastic golf heading into the event. He broke the course record last week at the Players Amateur with a 10-under 62, and just missed a win after a few tough breaks down the stretch.

Palmer Cup selection and USC rising sophomore Rico Hoey could also make some waves in the field this year. Hoey has done well for himself so far this summer, taking medalist honors at the North and South Amateur as well as fifth at the Sunnehanna Amateur.

Sand Creek Station Golf Course, which is hosting it’s first USGA championship, will play 7365 yards and par 71 this week, though the tournament committee has a habit of moving tee boxes around for match play.

The Public Links is neither gone nor forgotten, and the loaded field will make sure to send off the tournament with a few fireworks.

Check back each day for AmateurGolf.com’s full coverage of the event.

Results: U.S. Amateur Public Links

Place	Player	Location	Pts
Win	Byron Meth	San Diego, CA	1000
Runner-up	Doug Ghim	Arlington Heights, IL	700
Semifinals	Michael Gellerman	Sterling, KS	500
Semifinals	Jess Bonneau	Cypress, TX	500
Quarterfinals	Rico Hoey	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	400

View full results for U.S. Amateur Public Links

About the U.S. Amateur Public Links

The U.S. Amateur Public Links is one of 13 national championships conducted by the USGA. It is designed for players who do not have playing privileges at a private club. See USGA website for details and complete description of eligibility requirement...