Pranger Outduels Berkmeyer to win his 2nd MAGA Amateur
Drew Pranger (MAGA photo)
ST. ALBANS, MO (August 4, 2018) - Drew Pranger did on Saturday what only three others have done before him winning his second Metropolitan Amateur Championship and having his name go on the Jim Tom Blair Trophy a second time. Pranger joins Don Bliss, David Estes and Kyle Weldon as multiple time winners of the Amateur.
Pranger was 1-shot back of Berkmeyer starting the day and paired with him in the final pairing. They battled back and forth and went to the 17th tee tied at 2-under for the championship. Crimson Callahan also saw his name in the lead at one point through the proceedings; however, bogeys at 15 and 17 coming sealed his championship at 1-under and a share of Runner-Up finish with Berkmeyer.
Pranger would birdie 3 of his first 5 holes on the back 9 to get to 4-under and the lead. However, bogeys at 15 and 16 sent him and Berkmeyer to 17 tied. Berkmeyer pulled his tee shot left and was behind a tree causing him to have to punch out to the fairway. Pranger would put his approach shot on the green about 45 feet away. This is where the tides took a major turn. Berkmeyer, left with a par putt watched Pranger roll in his 45 footer for a birdie to get to 3-under. Berkmeyer would miss his par chance and Pranger had a 2-shot advantage going to the closing hole.
Each with excellent drives on the 486 yard home hole at St. Albans, Berkmeyer was forced to attack the “Sunday” back right hole location on 18. His approach looked brilliant through the air but was a bit long and actually went through the back bunker. Pranger put his approach shot in the middle of the putting green and while making a bogey would claim the victory.
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54-hole championship of the Metropolitan Amateur
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