Connor Newton is the 106th Alabama State Amateur Champion
Connor Newton (Alabama Golf Association photo)
Connor Newton and
Max Johnson staged quite a final-round duel at Bent Brook Golf Club where extra holes were required to decide the Alabama State Amateur champion on Saturday.
After both players turned in matching 67s in the final round to finish at 13-under, Newton birdied the second playoff hole to win the championship.
Either player could have won the tournament in regulation, as Newton birdied 17 and parred 18 to secure his spot in the playoff while Johnson birdied 16 and 17 and parred 18.
Brantley Scott finished one shot out of the playoff at 12-under.
“It feels really, really good to be champion,” said Newton, who recently completed his senior season at Coastal Carolina. “I felt really good with my game and I kind of felt like I was going to win it the whole tournament.”
Newton, Johnson and Scott began the final round tied for second, one shot behind 54-hole leader
Noah Dennis, whose second consecutive 66 in the third round moved him to the top of the leaderboard at 10-under 203. However, an even-par round of 72 dropped Dennis into a tie for seventh, leaving the stage to Newton and Johnson.
Newton finished runner-up last year to recently crowned NCAA men's individual champion
Gordon Sargent, who won two consecutive Alabama State Amateurs before heading to Vanderbilt.
ABOUT THE Alabama State Amateur
Entries are open to any male amateur golfer who is
a
legal resident of Alabama, and has an active GHIN®
USGA Handicap Index® at an
AGA member club that does not exceed 8.4. Pre-
qualifying for non-exempt players, followed by 72
holes
of stroke play.
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