Carson Brewer wins Florida Azalea Amateur

Carson Brewer broke through with the biggest win of his young career on Sunday by capturing the Florida Azalea Amateur at Palatka Golf Club.

Brewer, a senior at Ponte Vedra (Fla.) High School, shot a final round 66 to finish at 4-under 206 to claim a one-stroke victory over Troy Vannucci, a decorated mid-amateur from Marlton, NJ and was two strokes clear of Ty Clapps, a reinstated amateur who now makes his home in Palm Coast.

Brewer was showing no ill effects of an ankle injury which sidelined him for much of the high school season during the fall. After opening with a pair of even par rounds of 70, the 17-year-old charged to the title with a final round 66, which was good for a narrow victory over two players twice his age.

The win is a boost for Brewer, who managed to crack the top-30 just twice in his last eight AJGA events. Until Sunday, his recent results belied Brewer's talents which led him to the quarterfinals of the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur at the Country Club of North Carolina, where he set a course record 66 on the Cardinal Course during qualifying.