Robbie Higgins wins Florida Amateur Match Play title

Robbie Higgins of Bradenton, Fla. prevailed in a back and forth battle against Jake Sherwin to win the Florida Amateur Match Play Championship on the 19th hole.

The 29th Amateur Match Play began with all 64 players, who advanced to the championship through qualifying and exempt players, playing three matches in group play on Thursday and Friday. The 16 group winners advanced to the Round of 16 on Saturday, with single elimination match play to determine the champion.

The final match began with Sherwin taking the early lead with a birdie on the first hole. Sherwin continued to win the second and fifth hole to be 3-up. Higgins fought back with a birdie on the sixth hole followed by two pars on holes eight and nine to tie the match heading into the back-nine.

Sherwin and Higgins tied the next four holes and after a three-putt on 14 Sherwin fell to 1-down. Higgins hit the green in two on the par-5 15th hole, making birdie to lead 2-up. Both players went for the 18th green on their second shot. Higgins fell short of the green and chipped to 8 feet making par while Sherwin hit the green in two.

With a birdie from Sherwin, the match was tied. On the 19th hole, Sherwin hit his approach shot in the bunker short of the green. Higgins hit the center of the green, 25 feet from the hole. Sherwin stuck his bunker shot to eight feet. Higgins clenched the victory by sinking his birdie putt to raise the trophy.