Amateur Andrew Paysse finishes fourth at Texas State Open
8/4/2017 | by Art Stricklin of AmateurGolf.com
see also: View results for Texas State Open, The Cascades
Texas A&M golfer records one of the best finishes by an amateur since Texas legend Homero Blancas won it 47 years ago.
DALLAS -- Brax McCarthy was the dominating winner at the 2017 Texas State Open at the new Trinity Forest Golf Club Friday, shooting a 18-under-par 262 to capture the tournament by eight shots, but McCarthy, a former University of Texas golfer, shared the spotlight with Texas A&M senior amateur Andrew Paysse.
The teammate of Trans-Miss Champion Cameron Champ, who made the cut at the 2017 U.S. Open, was alone in fourth place with a final round 67 for a 272 total, one of the best finishes by an amateur in the prestigious statewide event since Homero Blancas won as a amateur 47 years ago.
"It's pretty special to play with these pros and play in the final group like I did today," Paysse, from Temple, Texas, said. "I just showed up wanting to be the low amateur and make the 36-hole cut, but to finish fourth and play in the final group is a great motivation."
He said competing against Champ on a daily basis at Texas A&M has been a great help.
"Anytime you see your teammates be successful and you compete with them on a daily basis, it has to help."
As for McCarthy, the winner needed little help at the new Crenshaw/Coore designed course, which will be the home of the PGA Tour's Byron Nelson Championship next May.
He opened with rounds of 65, 65, 65 before his final round 67 for the easy win.
"What a week," McCarthy said. "I was very fortunate."
The teammate of Trans-Miss Champion Cameron Champ, who made the cut at the 2017 U.S. Open, was alone in fourth place with a final round 67 for a 272 total, one of the best finishes by an amateur in the prestigious statewide event since Homero Blancas won as a amateur 47 years ago.
"It's pretty special to play with these pros and play in the final group like I did today," Paysse, from Temple, Texas, said. "I just showed up wanting to be the low amateur and make the 36-hole cut, but to finish fourth and play in the final group is a great motivation."
He said competing against Champ on a daily basis at Texas A&M has been a great help.
"Anytime you see your teammates be successful and you compete with them on a daily basis, it has to help."
As for McCarthy, the winner needed little help at the new Crenshaw/Coore designed course, which will be the home of the PGA Tour's Byron Nelson Championship next May.
He opened with rounds of 65, 65, 65 before his final round 67 for the easy win.
"What a week," McCarthy said. "I was very fortunate."
About the Texas State Open
72-hole stroke play tournament open to professionals and amateurs with a recommended handicap index of 6.4 or less. Contestants are NOT required to reside in Texas. Cut made after 36 holes.
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