‘Birthday Gift’: Peter Uihlein wins US Amateur Golf Championship
The 110th US Amateur Golf Championship 2010 was held at Chambers Bay form 23-29 August. The top ranked Peter Uihlein played an exceptional final game against David Chung, who was probably the favorite this season. Chung charged with a back nine but still it didn’t prove enough and ultimately Uihlein was successful in achieving one of his career’s biggest victories so far.
Uihlein scored an Eagle at the last hole which fluttered him to the top of the boards. Earlier, he was head to head with Chung at the 34th hole. Uihlein is the fourth player to hold a US Golf Association title from Oklahoma State University.
The 36 hole championship ultimately proved out to be a competition between Uihlien, Chung and the defending champion Beyeoung-Hun An. Chung had played magnanimously against the defending champion in the semi-final and managed to outlast him with a 1 up while Hun An also fought long and hard for his title but his bogey turned the match upside down at the 15th par 3
During the final, Uihlein had an increasing lead at the 26th with a 4. This was made possible with the help of a birdie but Chung still wasn’t far behind, he managed a par and a birdie at the 28th and the 29th leading him towards a Sahalee player Champion’s advantage. The chase continued for a long time and lasted till the 30th. Uihlein displayed his skills by achieving an eagle putt from a distance of 20 feet. Chung only had 12 feet between the ball, hole, lead and him but that didn’t seem to work as he missed the putt and hence the chase subdued in nature.
The 12 foot disadvantage had its effect on Chung since the 30th while Uihlein won 2 out of 4 holes for the win of his life. At the 14th hole, Uihlein played a birdie of 25 feet which Chung pulled at the 16th. The Oklahoma student displayed a commanding performance just off the 18th as he played a birdie which resulted in a lead with 2 up after which it stretched to 4 up. The final hole was played with a drivable 16th which was just too much for Chung.
Uihlien’s victory has resulted in his exemption for the 2011 Open championship. He would also most probably earn an invitation to the Masters Tournament. The twenty one year old has two reasons to celebrate now- one is his upcoming birthday and the second is his victory. The 16th hole displayed a rather emotional scene when Uihlein collapsed into his parents arms. “Happy Birthday” were the words Uihlein’s father had whispered into his years teary-eyed.
The crowd followed the usual suit of tootle and roar when both father and son embraced each other in a tight hug. After holding the Gold Havemeyer Trophy in his hands, Uihlien’s joy knew no bounds. A gift well deserved. Meanwhile, success never comes without sacrifice. When Peter turned 14 he was enrolled in the IMG academy at Bradenton leading his family to a split. But still, he feels fortunate to have a family that accepted what life had brought to them.
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