Steven Fox records playoff victory at the US Amateur Championship
Steven Fox of Hendersonville birdied the final three holes in the final match play event of the US Amateur Championship, to record a 1-Up victory over Michael Weaver of Fresno, at the Cherry Hills Country Club near Denver, Colo.
Prior to the match-play stage of the tournament, he had to survive the playoffs in the stroke-play event and tied for the 51st position – the lowest among the 64 players who made the cut.
Entering the final stage, he was among the least favourites to win the tournament. Standing on the 35th tee of the 36-hole final match, he was 2-Down and it was essential for him to beat his opponent on each of the next two holes to remain in the game.
At the end of the 36 holes in regulation, the scores All-Squared and the game was forced to enter the sudden-death playoffs.
“I wasn’t going to give up. I’m always fighting,” Fox said. “Things can turn around at any moment. You can find your swing or find your stroke throughout a round. This whole week is like a dream to me. I really can’t express it in words”.
Afterwards, both the players moved to the 338-yard par-four first hole to start the sudden-death stage of the tournament.
While Weaver’s drive off the tee missed the fairway to the left, Fox managed to keep the ball straight and took the early advantage. Fox once again played a beautiful wedge shot and landed near the pin.
Weaver, on the other hand, had a bad lie and he missed the birdie putt in the end. Meanwhile, Fox one-putted and confirmed his name to be listed on the trophy alongside Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
“I’m thinking about taking it with me back to school and putting it on the counter,” he said with a laugh. “I hope nobody steals it”.
The victory also earned him a place in next year’s three of the four major golf championships – Masters Tournament, US Open and the British Open.
“They just told me I’ll play with Bubba Watson at Augusta,” he said. “I can’t even picture that. It’s awesome”.
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