Wyatt grinds out Nebraska Senior Match Play win against Sajevic

Ed Wyatt won the Nebraska Senior Match Play Championship on Wednesday from the No. 1 seed. Don’t let that fool you, though. Even coming from the top spot on the bracket, it was no easy road for Wyatt.

Wyatt drew John Sajevic in the championship match at Hillcrest Country club in Lincoln, Neb. After playing outstanding golf the first two days of the championship, Wyatt had to navigate his B game in the final.

Wyatt, who was the long-time assistant professional at the host club before regaining his amateur status, trailed the entire match until the 18th hole, where he finished a comeback from a 3-down deficit. He won the final two holes to take the title.

“I was not playing well at all today,” Wyatt said. “I only hit seven greens in regulation, but I just kind of kept fighting. Honestly, I was very fortunate. John just missed some shots and putts he never misses. That was helpful to keep me in it, but I did keep fighting and kept trying to get closer.”

Straight from the Champion. Hear what Ed Wyatt had to say after his triumph at @hillcrestcclnk today to win the 9th #NebSrMP. Full interview 👉 https://t.co/rEWgiAtXys pic.twitter.com/HOgwByOZ03

— #NebGolf (@NGAgolf) September 26, 2019

For his part, Sajevic has won the Nebraska Senior Amateur four times, but has never prevailed in senior match play.

Winners were also crowned in the other three brackets. In the President’s Bracket, Lincoln’s John Fecht defeated Elkhorn’s David Allen in the final in 19 holes. It was Fecht’s second match to go 19 holes on Wednesday. In the Bob Astleford Bracket, Omaha’s Hap Pocras won, 2 and 1, over Kearney’s Scott Maline. In the Sam Reynolds Net Bracket, North Platte’s Steve Thomalla defeated Ashland’s Vince Takacs in the final, 3 and 2.

Quotes and information from the Nebraska Golf Association