Ingalls wins Tennessee Am with playoff birdie bomb

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 10, 2018) – It took two extra holes and a long, dramatic putt, but Aaron Ingalls is the Tennessee Amateur champion. Ingalls never had a lead until the end of the tournament, but posted three rounds in the red at the end of the week to sneak into the top spot.

Ingalls opened with a round of 2-over 74 at Spring Creek Ranch, but steadily worked his way back into contention. He followed with rounds of 69-69-70 to end the week at 6 under. Ingalls, who works as a project manager for a construction company, had two birdies on his back nine on Friday to reach that number. It left him tied with Kyle Cottam and Ross Redmont at the end of regulation.

Cottam, a sophomore at Clemson, had a similar week. After opening with 75, he had to work to climb the leaderboard. He put together rounds of 66-70-71 to close. Redmont had one of the best final rounds of any competitor, posting a 3-under 69 that included birdies on the final two holes.

All three players entered sudden death, and it ended with a bang when Ingalls drained a 35-footer for birdie on the second hole to win the event. It’s Ingalls’ first victory.

Cottam’s upcoming teammate William Nottingham led for the past two rounds, but fell out of contention with a final-round 79. It was his worst round of the tournament by seven shots.

Six-time Tennessee Amateur champion Tim Jackson tied for fifth at 1 under. He was one of four players on that number.