Southeastern Am: Chang Defends Title with Final-Round 64

COLUMBUS, GA (June 19, 2010)--Derek Chang of Alpharetta, GA shot a final-round 64 to break out of a logjam of players and successfully defend his Southeastern Amateur title at Columbus Country Club. Chang finished at 13-under 271 for a three-shot win.

It was a free-for-all heading into the final round, as four players (Carter Newman, Wesley Bryan, William Sjaichudin, Chris Piumelli) shared the lead at 7-under 206, with another six players, including Chang, just one shot back. The low round of the day was probably going to win, and Chang made the case early, with birdies at the 1st, 4th, 6th and 7th to turn at 4-under 32.

Of the top-10 players starting the day, only Taylor Floyd of Macon, GA was able to stay close at the halfway point, shooting 33 on the front. But bogeys on the short par four 10th and 11th set him back and ultimately he finished fifth.

2008 champion Mitchell Krywulycz of Australia and Wesley Bryan of Chapin, SC both made late runs on the back nine, but birdies on the 13th, 16th and 18th gave Chang the separation he needed. Krywulycz (67) and Bryan (68) finished tied for second. Lee Bedford of Cary, NC finished fourth after a final-round 65.