NAPLES, Fla. (August 3, 2014) — Philip Knowles of Bradenton, Fla. capped off his impressive run at the Florida State Match Play Championship with a 4-and-2 victory in the final, defeating Edward Figueroa of Naples.
Knowles, just 17-years-old and an incoming senior at Bradenton Christian High School, was the eighth-seeded player heading into the match play portion of the event. He advanced to the quarterfinals where he was greeted by top-seed Tommy Hurst of Newberry College. Knowles won 4-and-3, moving on to meet another Florida high-school standout Danny Walker, handing him defeat on the 18th hole.
Figueroa, the tournament's 11-seed, trailed the entire match, parring the par-three 16th hole while Knowles clinched victory with a two.
Knowles, who will be in Atlanta for the U.S. Amateur in two weeks. came as close to winning as possible a year ago, losing to Kevin Jorden in the final match.
Philip Knowles, 17, wins Florida State Match Play
After knocking out the top-seed in the quarterfinals, the Florida high-schooler was the last standing on Sunday