Swift, Guerin successfully defend Alabama Four-Ball title

Clay Guerin and Will Swift have defended their title at the Alabama Four-Ball. In Sunday’s final match at Hunstville Country Club, Swift of Vestavia Hills, Ala., and Guerin of Hoover, Ala., got out to an early lead with a birdie on the par-4 third hole and remained 1 up through the front nine.

It wasn’t that simple, though. Brinson Holder and Matt Gourgeot squared the match after Holder sank the par putt on the 11th. Swift then rolled in a birdie on the 13th to regain the lead. Guerin followed it with a birdie on the par-3 15th, which would prove to be all they needed to defend their title winning, 2 and 1.

In the morning semifinals, Swift-Guerin had defeated eighth seed Andrew Kniphfer and Elliott Jones of Tuscaloosa, 4 and 3.

Holder-Gourgeot advanced past Brendan Keller of Huntsville and Jason Tate of Owens Cross Roads by a 4-and-3 margin.

In addition to winning this title last year alongside Swift, Guerin also won the Birmingham National Invitational in June. Swift is also a frequent contender in that event, with his best finish a top 3 in 2009.