Sam Jackson wins Carolinas Mid-Amateur Championship

Sam Jackson took a six-shot lead into the final round of the 43rd Carolinas Mid-Amateur and held off a late charge by William Buchanan to win the championship at the Cliffs at Mountain Park in Travelers Rest, S.C.

Jackson built what seemed to be an insurmountable lead on the strength of a 9-under 63 in the second round. However, Buchanan made things interesting on the back nine of the final round, making birdies on holes 10, 11, 12 and 14 along with an eagle on 15 to close the gap to one.

Buchanan couldn't get any closer, as a bogey on 16 slowed his momentum. Jackson finished with a birdie on 18 to finish at 17-under 199, securing a two-stroke victory.

Unfortunately, a bogey by Buchanan on 16 killed his momentum, and Jackson scrambled on 17 to make par, and a made birdie on the eighteenth to win by two at -17 (199 total).

"The win means a lot, yesterday (round 2) tied my lowest score ever in any tournament golf, and today I felt the nerves all day long, but the birdies on 12 and 13 settled me down a bit," said Jackson. "Watching Bill (Buchanan) make a run on the back nine at me was nerve-racking enough, so it put a lot of pressure on things which was good to keep me in the game all afternoon," added Jackson.

Buchanan ultimately finished in second at 15-under 201, while Nathan Stamey (Candler, NC) and Austin Langdale (Easley, SC) tied for third at 12-under 204.