Joseph Deraney won the Mississippi Mid-Amateur on Sunday, closing with a 69 at Castlewood Country Club to outlast Eddie Brescher and deny him a repeat title.
Deraney struggled out of the gate with a 74 but roared back with a 9-under 63 that included two eagles (one on a par 4) to give him a one-shot lead through 36 holes. Though Brescher caught him early with a birdie at the first, Deraney took the lead back on the next hole and never surrendered it again.
For Deraney, the win was the latest state title for the stay-at-home dad and prolific tournament winner. He also won the Mississippi State Amateur in 2018 and also the Kentucky Mid-Amateur in 2016-17. His other titles include the Canadian Mid-Amateur, Stocker Cup, Timuquana Cup, and Carlton Woods Invitational.
His biggest win barely eluded him, however, leading the 2019 U.S. Mid-Amateur final match on the back nine before Lukas Michel came back to clip him late.
Deraney came into the event in good form, having won the Trans-Miss Four-Ball with partner Derek Meinhart.
Brescher made a spirited title defense, with rounds of 67-71-70 (-8), eight shots ahead of the third-place finishers.
Deraney adds Mississippi Mid-Am to his collection of state titles
The former U.S. Mid-Amateur runner-up denied Eddie Brescher a repeat title