J.T. Pittman wins 92nd West Texas Amateur

JT Pittman came through after sleeping on the lead Saturday to take the 92nd West Texas Amateur title back home to Monahans, Texas. “I really tried not to think about anybody else,” Pittman, a sophomore at Midland College, told the TGA following his final round 70. “I just tried to just play the golf course one shot at a time and make as many birdies as I could.” Pittman executed the plan to near perfection as he made five birdies during his final round to post a two-under effort to win by two. In winning, he was the only player in the field to break par every round. “A lot of great players have played against me this week, hats off to them, they all played great,” Pittman said. “But I am glad I got the win.” Among those chasing Pittman on Sunday was San Angelo native Jansen Smith. The Texas Tech junior began the final round five shots back of Pittman. Tallying a 67, Jansen was a double-bogey and a bogey on 18 away from at least forcing a playoff against Pittman. Unable to stay mistake-free, Smith will settle for a runner-up finish at 210. Closing out the top-5 in the championship division were Michael Heidelbaugh (212), Robert Johnson (214), Collin Clark (214), and Bryce Waters (214). In the senior division, former Texas Senior Amateur champion Lewis Stephenson came from seven shots back in the final round with a 66 to win by two shots. In the super senior division, Doug Hopton-Jones successfully defended his 2019 West Texas Amateur title. It is his third West Texas Amateur win (2019, 2002). It was a hot week in San Angelo, with temperatures in the mid-90s and only a little wind blowing across Bentwood Coutnry Club.