Hagood claims Alabama Match Play victory

The 19th Alabama State Match Play Championship concluded Sunday as Ethan Hagood of Hoover defeated Harlan Winn of Birmingham, 2 and 1, in the final match at Canebrake Club in Athens, Ala.

In the morning semifinals, No. 4 seed Hagood defeated top-seeded Stewart Whitt of Athens, 2 up. Hagood made nine birdies with no bogeys and Whitt made seven birdies with no bogeys.

In the other semifinal match, second seed Harlan Will of Birmingham defeated fourteenth seed Vic Kyatt of Bessemer 1 up. Winn played in the final match for the second straight year.

The final match pitted Hagood, a member of the UAB golf team, against Winn, a member of the Samford golf team, for the championship title. Hagood got off to a quick start with an eagle on the second hole and birdies on Nos. 7 and 8 to turn at 2 up.

Winn fought back with birdies on 12 and 16, but Hagood made par on 17th hole to claim a 2-and-1 victory.