Hunter Hawkins completed a successful title defense at the Alabama State Mid-Amateur Championship, finishing four shots clear after 54 holes.
The Fort Payne golfer posted rounds of 67-65-73 for an 11-under 205 total, adding a second consecutive championship to his record.
Hawkins entered the final round at 12-under with a five-shot advantage after firing an eight-birdie 65 in the second round. While his closing 73 was his first over-par round of the week, the cushion proved more than enough.
“It’s cool to have your name on the trophy twice,” Hawkins said. “Maybe we can go for the three-peat next year.”
Hunter Hamrick of Pike Road made a final-round charge with a 3-under 69. After rounds of 68 and 72, Hamrick finished alone in second at 7-under 209, four shots behind Hawkins.
The round of the day belonged to James Holt of Coker. Holt closed with a 4-under 68 to climb into third at 6-under 210 (71-71-68).
Matt Johnson of Dothan and Jackson King of Vestavia Hills shared fourth at 5-under 211. Johnson went 71-69-71, while King followed rounds of 70 and 67 with a closing 74.
Will McCurdy of Auburn and James Medley of Homewood tied for sixth at 4-under 212.
Seven players broke par in the final round as the field averaged 74.37. The par-3 17th played as the easiest hole at an average of 2.88, while the par-4 18th was the toughest at 4.42.
The top 10 and ties also earned exemptions into the 2027 Alabama State Amateur Championship at The Country Club of Birmingham, adding another reward for the leading finishers.
For Hawkins, the victory leaves him with an opportunity to pursue a third straight Alabama State Mid-Amateur title in 2027.
Round 2 report -
Defending champion Hunter Hawkins strengthened his grip on the Alabama State Mid-Amateur Championship, firing a second-round 65 to build a five-shot lead at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club in Montgomery.
Hawkins, who held a one-shot advantage after an opening 67, made eight birdies during his second round to move to 12-under 132 (67-65) through 36 holes.
His closest challenger is Jackson King of Vestavia Hills. King improved on his opening 70 with a 5-under 67 to reach 7-under 137, five shots behind Hawkins with one round remaining.
Stewart Whitt made one of the bigger moves of the second round. After beginning with an even-par 72, Whitt matched King's 67 to climb into solo third at 5-under 139.
Three players will begin the final round eight shots off the lead at 4-under 140. First-round co-runner-up Hunter Hamrick followed his 68 with a 72, while James Medley posted rounds of 69-71. Matt Johnson joined them after scores of 71-69.
Hawkins entered the week seeking to successfully defend his title, and his 65 created significant separation after a tightly packed opening round. He began Saturday only one ahead of Hamrick and Ethan Hagood and two clear of a group at 3-under.
The second round was interrupted by inclement weather at 1:58 p.m. Play resumed at 3:20 p.m. following a delay of one hour and 22 minutes.
Scoring proved difficult across much of the field, with the second-round average at 77.51. Sixteen players broke par, while the field combined for 236 birdies and three eagles.
The cut fell at 9-over, with 60 players advancing to the final round.
Round 1 report -
Defending champion Hunter Hawkins picked up where he left off at the Alabama State Mid-Amateur Championship, firing a 5-under 67 to take the opening-round lead at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club in Montgomery, AL.
Hawkins, of Fort Payne, holds a one-shot advantage as he begins his bid for consecutive titles in a field that includes 11 past champions.
Hunter Hamrick of Pike Road and Ethan Hagood of Vestavia Hills are Hawkins' nearest challengers after matching 4-under 68s. Both will enter the second round just one shot off the pace.
Four players are another stroke back at 3-under 69, leaving seven golfers within two shots of the lead.
Tyler Smith of Opelika, James Medley of Homewood, Trent Alexander of Florence and Blake Watts of Fort Payne share fourth place after each broke 70 in the opening round.
The leaderboard remains tightly packed behind them, with six players tied for eighth at 2-under 70. That group includes Thomas Luther of Hoover, Emile Vaughan of Fairhope, Jackson King of Vestavia Hills, Van Thigpen of Elberta, Shaw Pritchett of Montgomery and Will Thompson of Vestavia Hills.
Hawkins will carry the lead into the second round as he looks to defend his championship successfully, but with Hamrick and Hagood one back and six more players within three shots, the title race remains wide open.
This is a live report from the Alabama State Mid-Amateur Championship. Follow along for more updates as the tournament unfolds.
