Loading article...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading article...
see also: View results for Southeastern Amateur, Country Club of Columbus
Luke Coyle survives the Donald Ross test and seals the Southeastern Amateur title in a playoff thriller
It’s truly the summer of Luke Coyle. The Campbellsville, Kentucky native delivered under pressure all week at the Country Club of Columbus and finished it in style. His final-round 4-under 66 earned a share of the lead at 9-under 201, setting up a dramatic playoff with Florida’s Carson Baez. On the first extra hole, Coyle coolly made birdie while Baez settled for par, clinching the 96th Southeastern Amateur title. It was a fitting finish on the classic Donald Ross layout, which once again demanded precision iron play and deft touch around the greens to separate the champion from the field.
AmateurGolf.com returned to Columbus, Georgia to cover one of the premier amateur events of the summer. The 96th Southeastern Amateur welcomed a strong field of elite collegians and top-ranked amateurs from across the U.S. and internationally, all looking to test themselves on the historic Donald Ross-designed Country Club of Columbus.
In 2024, Frenchman Alexandre Vandermoten stole the show with a bogey-free opening 63, followed by back-to-back rounds of 70 to secure a one-shot win at 7-under 203. He edged out Brantley Scott and Luke Dasher by a single stroke, avoiding a playoff thanks to steady putting down the stretch. Christopher Zhang surged with a final-round 64 to finish solo fourth, while 2023 champion Hunter Logan and Lee Poppell rounded out the top five.
Since its founding in 1922 by Fred Haskins, the Southeastern Amateur has crowned a remarkable list of champions. Among them are Doug Sanders, Tommy Aaron, Curtis Strange, Ben Crenshaw, and Fuzzy Zoeller—all future Masters winners. Columbus native Allen Doyle famously captured the event five times before launching his decorated senior professional career.
The Country Club of Columbus underwent a faithful restoration in 2003 using Donald Ross’s original plans. It now showcases classic features like shaved run-off areas and the notorious postage stamp green at No. 4. At just over 6,500 yards, it’s a layout that rewards precision and creativity over sheer power—a perfect stage for identifying a true amateur champion.
The 96th Southeastern Amateur once again proved why it remains one of the country’s top amateur championships. The final-day playoff capped a week of low scores and high drama on a historic course that demands the full arsenal of a player’s game. Expect to see Luke Coyle’s name rise in amateur rankings this summer—and to see more future stars emerge next year in Columbus.
More coverage: Follow AmateurGolf.com and @amateurgolfdotcom for rankings, stories, and tournament coverage all season long.
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Campbellsville, KY | 500 | 71-64-66=201 | |
| T1 | Windermere, FL | 500 | 68-66-67=201 | |
| 3 | Boerne, TX | 300 | 65-69-68=202 | |
| T4 | , Australia | 300 | 67-66-70=203 | |
| T4 | , Australia | 300 | 67-64-72=203 |
The Southeastern Amateur is a top-level amateur golf tournament with a rich history dating back to 1922 - when the tournament was created by Fred Haskins. Each year, the Southeastern Amateur has the great honor of hosting many of the nation's top ama...
2026 U.S. Open Local Qualifying Results: All 109 Sites + Leaderboards
May 14, 2026Live results from all 109 U.S. Open Local Qualifying sites. Site-by-site medalists, amateurs, and alternates
RESULTS: 2026 U.S. Open Final Qualifying
May 18, 2026A deep-dive into all 13 final qualifying venues from Walton Heath, England to Sacramento, California
Ellison & Scheck Win 2026 U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball in 19 Holes
May 6, 2026The No. 3 seed snaps a five-year teenage-champion streak. Carter & Snyder, both 15, fall in sudden death after
Why Pinehurst Is the Ultimate Place to Play a Two-Man Championship
May 19, 2026Competitive golfers take on Pinehurst during the AmateurGolf.com Two Man Links and Father & Son Championship presented by Titleist
How to Watch the 2026 NCAA Golf Championships
May 20, 2026Everything you need to tune into the men's and women's NCAA Division I golf championships at Omni La Costa
