Florida State Amateur: Lench rallies for title

VERO BEACH, Fla. (June 21, 2014) -- Gabriel Lench came from behind to win the 2014 Florida State Amateur title Sunday at Quail Valley Golf Club. Trailing third-round leader Edward Figueroa by three shots entering the final round, Lench rose out of a group of contenders fighting for the title when Figueroa struggled to a closing 79. Lench ultimately stayed two shots ahead of runner-up Jacob Kline for a decisive win in the 97th playing of the event. In the final round Lench played a solid front nine turning at even par 36, after one bogey on the difficult fourth hole, and one birdie on the par 5 seventh hole. With a one shot lead heading into the back nine, Lench would expand his lead to four shots after birdies on 10 and 11. With the Championship in his sights Lench would play the next six holes at one-over par to stand on the 72 hole with a comfortable three shot lead. After two great shots on the last hole of the Championship, Lench would three putt for his bogey 5 to post a round of even par 72, and capture the 97th Amateur Championship. Figueroa, of Naples, R J Nakashian, of Palm Beach Gardens, and J D Tomlinson, of Gainesville, finished tied for third place with a tournament total of two-under par 286. -Information from the FSGA was used in this report