Bobby Wyatt loses to Justin Thomas in the US Amateur Championship
Bobby Wyatt, who won the stroke-play event at the 112th US Amateur Championship, lost to his friend and University of Alabama teammate Justin Thomas and missed the chance to play the quarter finals in Cherry Hills.
Wyatt was the hot favourite for the win because of his recent victory in the stroke-play phase of the tournament, where he equaled the tournament record by nine-under par 132.
However, he failed to hold on to his nerves and lost control over his game in the second phase of the match-play event. He led the match for the first six holes prior to Thomas making the charge later in the competition.
Thereafter, Wyatt tried to make a comeback, but failed because of the consistent display of the game by his opponent.
The breathtaking moments came on the 17th hole, when the game was all square. Thomas’ drive found the trees at the side of the fairway. Therefore, he had to play really safe in order to remain in the tournament.
He then managed to hit a brilliant shot that put him on the fairway and within the reach of the green. His third shot landed 15 feet away from the pin from where he successfully turned in the ball for a birdie.
The same hole saw Wyatt make a par putt and the game finished 1Up in favor of Thomas in the end. Thomas will now compete against Oliver Goss, who defeated Bobby Leopold 2&1.
"He told me, 'Good match,'" said Thomas. "I told him, 'Good match. Sorry.' It's tough. In my situation, there's nothing right to say. We've all been there".
According to Wyatt, it was not like he did not take the match seriously. In fact, he considered Thomas just as another competitor on the course. However, his game did not click and he had to pack his bags before the tournament ends.
He amusingly said that he was happy to be defeated by his friend, as no one else could have done that in the event.
"We're both competitors and it was mostly business today," Wyattt said. "I didn't get the job done. I play him every day, though it was a little different in circumstances like this. But I'm really happy for him. He's a great guy. I'd rather lose to no one
(else)".
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