PINEHURST, NC (December 29, 2017) - Grayson Wotnosky of Wake Forest, NC shot a final-round 68 on the famed Pinehurst #2 Course to win the Donald Ross Junior.
The 16-year-old struggled in the opening round on Pinehurst #5, suffering a triple-bogey and four bogeys en route to a 76. But after bogeying his first hole on #2, he came alive with five birdies (including three in a row from 3-5) and with no dropped shots.
Wotnosky won by a single shot over defending champion A.J. Beechler of Pinehurst, who was going for his third title in the event. In addition to his two-shot win last year, Beechler won the 12-14 age division in 2014.
After double-bogeying the 13th hole, Beechler (74-71) made three straight birdies but couldn't find the last birdie he needed to catch Wotnosky.
Will Stakel of Duluth, GA (74-71) was even par with two holes to play but bogeyed the par-3 17th to fall into a second-place tie with Beechler.
Christopher Sperrazza of Raleigh, NC (75-71) and Attie Giles of Pinehurst (73-73) finished in a tie for 4th at 2-over 146.
Earlier this year, Wotnosky teamed up with fellow North Carolina junior Akshay Bhatia to qualify for the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship in Pinehurst. They became the youngest team to make it to match play in the championship.
Donald Ross Jr: 68 on Pinehurst #2 Wins it for Wotnosky
Grayson Wotnosky's brilliant round at the U.S. Open venue denies A.J. Beechler a third Donald Ross title