Peter Williamson

The clutch putt conclude a drama-dripping final round in which Wyatt overcame a 4-shot deficit into the final nine and make a spectacular up-and-down out of heavy rough behind the 18th hole to force the playoff, both finishing 12-under-par 276. Their playing partner kissed a bunker shot off the pin for a would-be birdie on the 18th that would have made it a 3-way playoff.

Williamson was hot on the front to take that 4-stroke advantage, only to see Wyatt fire back with an eagle and two birdies on the next four holes to pull even. Wyatt three-putted for par after reaching the par-5 hole in two and that was the “momentum swing,” said Williamson, a recent Dartmouth grad who won 3 individual Ivy League titles in his collegiate career.

“What a day,” he exclaimed. “Our threesome all shot 67 – 15-under-par in the final round. It was a frantic pace. Winning a tournament this big against the No. 1 player feels good. I’ll have to digest it.” As champion, Williamson earns the option of playing in the Arnold Palmer Invitational next spring in Orlando, provided he remains an amateur at that time.

“Peter is a great player and deserving champion. I was pleased the way I played,” said Wyatt.

The 107th Southern Am is scheduled for Carlton Woods near Houston.