Alabama State Amateur: Tyler Watts shatters age record to become youngest ever winner
June 10, 2023 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: Tyler Watts, View results for Alabama State Amateur, Country Club of Birmingham - West Course
The Huntsville resident struggled through a three hole stretch in the final round, but posted even par to win by four
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.
- Alabama Golf Association story
Results: Alabama State Amateur
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville, AL | 200 | 67-62-66-72=267 | |
| T2 | Hoover, AL | 100 | 67-71-67-66=271 | |
| T2 | Decatur, AL | 100 | 69-66-67-69=271 | |
| 4 | , Australia | 50 | 67-68-68-71=274 | |
| 5 | Fairhope, AL | 50 | 70-72-66-67=275 |
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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