North & South Junior: Griz, Sambach claim 2020 titles

Sleeping on a solid lead is never easy. Jonathan Griz however, made it look easy. Two clear of Clayson Good (Queens University commit) as they stood on the No. 1 tee at Pinehurst No. 4, Griz already had it in his mind that he had won the coveted Putter Boy trophy. “I feel like I really won the tournament after the round on No. 2,” Griz told Pinehurst. “It was just a special round of golf where everything felt flawless.” The 16-year-old Alabama commit followed an opening 70 at Pinehurst No. 6 with a 66 at No. 2 on Tuesday. Having not won in 11 months, Griz overcame swing changes, mental blocks, and misfortune to secure the championship capping the week with a final-round 1-under 71. Good finished four-strokes behind Griz in solo second. On the girls’ side, the contest was eerily similar. Amanda Sambach posted rounds of 74, 69, and 68 en route to a four-stroke win herself. Tied with Bailey Davis and Emily Matthews at 1-under heading into the final day, Sambach turned on the burners, closing the door with three birdies on the final five holes at Pinehurst No. 6. The win only propels her towards next week’s North & South Women’s Amateur. The 17-year-old Virginia commit will be a part of an elite field as some of the biggest names in amateur women’s golf will be on property to close out an eventful three weeks for Pinehurst. Currently ranked No. 28 in the WAGR rankings, Sambach is locked in heading into next week. “This means a lot,” Sambach said. “It gives me a lot of confidence heading into next week.”