Alabama State Amateur: Tyler Watts shatters age record to become youngest ever winner
Tyler Watts (Alabama G.A. photo)
Tyler Watts of Huntsville claimed the 107th Alabama State Amateur Championship title, setting the record as the youngest player in history to win, at age 15.
The previous record was held by Gordon Sargent, who won the championship in 2020 at Saugahatchee Country Club when he was 17 years old.
Watts concluded his performance this week with a 72 for the Final Round and a 267 (67, 62, 66, 72) overall.
“I think I finished pretty well,” said Watts. “No. 9 through No. 11 were tough stretches for me, but I got it done. It’s an honor to win.”
Watts was referring to something that would be normal for most golfers -- going 2-over for three holes. But viewed through the lens of his previous three rounds' scoring, you'll see why he was disappointed.
Watts hadn't recorded a single bogey in any of the first three rounds. That's not age 15-like, it's Tour-like.
While Watts grabbed the youngest-ever record from Sargent, He didn't come close to breaking the scoring record set by Sargent in 2020, at 24-under-par. That one might stand for a while.
Carter Goodwin of Hoover and Ryley Heath of Decatur each carded a total 9-under 271 for the championship to tie for second place. After a scorecard playoff, Goodwin received the silver medal (67, 71, 67, 66) and Heath claimed bronze (69, 66, 67, 69).
- Alabama Golf Association story
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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