Palmetto Amateur: Kountakis wins by 4

AIKEN, S.C. (June 7, 2014) -- Mercer University's Emmanuel Kountakis fired a final-round 3-under 67 to secure a four-shot victory at the 2014 Palmetto Amateur. Leading overnight by way of rounds of 68-69-67 over the first three days of action at Palmetto Golf Club, Kountakis, of Augusta, Ga., outpaced the field of contenders with the round of the day at Palmetto Golf Club. He finished four shots better than Billy Kennerly, of Clemson, who shot 68-72-65-70 to take solo second place. South Carolina star Matthew NeSmith surged over the weekend and wound up tied for third alongside Auburn's Will Long, who held the lead after the first and second rounds on Wednesday and Thursday. NeSmith shot 72-68-68-70 while Long carded rounds of 64-68-73-72. Kennesaw State's Jimmy Beck finished alone in fifth place. Other notable finishes include: Azalea champion and South Carolina golfer Will Murphy (T6), LSU's Curtis Thompson (T8), Vanderbilt's Spencer Ciesla (T12), Memorial champ and Texas A&M signee Cameron Champ (T14), Georgia's Michael Cromie (T14), 2013 U.S. Walker Cup team member Todd White (T27). The Palmetto Amateur is a 72-hole stroke play event held on a classic Alister MacKenzie design. The field of 84 is selected from applicants based on handicap, participation in amateur golf events and competitive record and annually features many of the game's top collegiate and junior players. For a full look at the leaderboard, follow the results link below.