Guerin loses lead, wins Birmingham National Inv. in Playoff

June 3, 2018 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

It was a day of dramatic swings for BNI winner Clay Guerin <br>(Photo courtesy of Jason Schuman)

There were fireworks down the stretch at the Birmingham National Invitational

BIRMINGHAM, AL (June 3, 2018) - For the first time in his career Clay Guerin has won a Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Ranking event. The native of Hoover, AL started the final round of the Birmingham National Invitational ahead by one but after struggling down the stretch in the final round he needed to survive a playoff against Brett Boner.

One day after shooting the round of the day, a 4-under 67 at the Country Club of Birmingham's West Course, Guerin struggled to get things going closing in 2-over 73 to finish regulation 3-under. Cruising along at 2-under through 12 holes and without a bogey to his name, Guerin lost his way down the stretch giving back his lead with four bogeys in the last six holes.

However, credit to Guerin and his ability to quickly recover and win the playoff.

Boner, even-par 71 on Sunday, had a chance to win the tournament in regulation after reaching 5-under with a birdie on the 13th but bogeys on Nos. 16 and 18 derailed his hopes for winning in regulation.

Patrick Christovich made a final day charge with a 3-under 68 only to finish in a tie for second at 2-under with John Smith. Going out ahead of the leaders both players had a chance to post a low number but Christovich double-bogeyed the last while Smith bogeyed Nos. 12, 14 and 16.

The round of the day belonged to Woodie Eubanks who carded a 5-under 66 with six birdies and a bogey to share fifth along with Alan Coshatt at 1-under.

Other notable finishers include Brad Nurski (T7; E), Bobby Leopold (T9; +2), Colby Harwell (14th; +3), Joseph Deraney (T19; +6) and Dan Sullivan (T19; +6).

Note: Of the top-15 finishers only four players turned in under-par rounds on Sunday.

36-HOLE RECAP

Clay Guerin has combined rounds of 70-67 and at 5-under he will carry a one shot lead into the final round of the Birmingham National Invitational.

Five off the pace when the day began, Guerin was able to move in front with a 4-under 67 that proved to be the round of the day at the Country Club of Birmingham's West Course.

Guerin, a native of Hoover, AL, has had some success recently in AmateurGolf.com Ranking events but he has yet to break into the winners circle in a ranking event. However, that is not to say he doesn't have experience closing out tournaments as evident by his win in April's Alabama Four-Ball and prior to that at the 2016 Alabama Mid-Amateur.

Chad Niezing will begin the final round 4-under in second place, Brett Boner and first round leader Todd Burgan are sharing third place at 3-under while John Smith at 2-under sits in fifth.

Results: Birmingham National Invitational

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Clay Guerin	Hoover, AL	400	70-67-73=210
2	Brett Boner	Charlotte, NC	300	67-72-71=210
T3	Patrick Christovich	New Orleans, LA	200	69-74-68=211
T3	John Smith	Brentwood, TN	200	70-70-71=211
T5	Woodie Eubanks	Trussville, AL	200	72-74-66=212

View full results for Birmingham National Invitational

About the Birmingham National Invitational

Guerin loses lead, wins Birmingham National Inv. in Playoff

This 54-hole stroke play event, formerly held the weekend after Memorial Day but moved to November in 2020, dates back to the early 1900's and is also known as the "NIT". Draws a field of national-level mid-amateurs.