Harwood holds on for South Carolina Amateur title

ST. HELENA ISLAND, S.C. (Aug. 5, 2018) - The final round of the 87th SCGA Amateur Championship at Dataw Island Club's Cotton Dike course has come to an end, but the champion will remain in the history books forever. William Harwood of Columbia will add his name to The Billy Lewis Trophy, joining other names like Lucas Glover, Bill Haas and D.J. Trahan.

After starting the day with a four-shot lead, Harwood found himself on the back nine tied for the lead with Easley's Sawyer Mills going into the 13th hole. With birdies on three out of the four first holes on the back nine, Mills began a surge for the title. A late bogey by Mills and a birdie on the 15th hole by Harwood would ultimately catapult Harwood into the winner's circle as the round came to an end. With Dataw Island members and spectators all around the 18th green, Harwood sunk a 6-foot putt to claim his victory.

“I just focused on playing freely and stress free,” Harwood said of his mindset entering the final round. “Not playing the golf course or my competitors but playing my game. I felt like I did just that and thankfully was able to capitalize."

Considering that winning this event was a goal coming into the summer season, Harwood will cherish this title a little more than others.

"Being from South Carolina all my life and looking at the names on the trophy, it's really special,” Hardwood said. “With not getting off to the start I wanted to this summer, I came to this tournament wanting to make some noise."

The noise was clearly heard and with that noise comes an abundance of confidence that he will take away from the championship as he heads back to Elon University this fall.

First-round leader, Jake Carter of Aiken finished the championship in third place after firing a final-round, 4-under 67 to edge Caleb Proveaux of Lexington by three shots.