10-under 62 lifts Sean McWilliams to Tempe Amateur title
1/22/2017 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
First round Sam Johann Diamond ended up tied for third at 6-under
TEMPE, AZ (January 22, 2017) -- It doesn't get much better than what Sean McWilliams was able to do in the final round of the Tempe Amateur. Five behind at the start of the final day at Ken McDonald Golf Course, McWilliams rallied in a big way with a 10-under 62 that pushed him to 11-under and four-strokes in front of the rest of the field.
The fireworks for McWillams began with a birdie on the first two holes and continued with three more front nine birdies and just one bogey for a 4-under 32 side. However, that wasn't even the better of the two nine for McWilliams.
Turning in 5-under for the tournament McWilliams really kicked things into high gear with birdies on six of the nine homeward holes. The birdies were produced on the 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th holes.
Mason Andersen placed second at 10-under after a Sunday 7-under 65 that left him one shot short of a playoff. Andersen birdied Nos. 15-17 to reach 10-under but couldn't find a fourth straight birdie and he had to settle for a second place finish.
Blaine Staggs and first round leader Sam Johann Diamond shared third at 6-under while Paige Peterson Ken Kellaney were 5-under and fifth.
ROUND ONE RECAP
Sam Johann Diamond took the first round lead at the Tempe Amateur hosted by Ken McDonald Golf Course. Diamond was able to move in front thanks to a bogey-free 6-under 66 that gave him a two-stroke lead.
Teeing of on No. 10, Diamond parred his first four holes before rolling in four straight birdies from Nos. 14-17. He rolled in two more birdies on the 4th and 6th holes.
Blaine Staggs used a 4-under 68 to take solo hold of second place. Staggs carded three birdies, a bogey and the highlight of his day an eagle on the par-5 4th.
Ken Kellaney and Mason Andersen are sharing third place at 3-under while Rick Bojalad, Ben Harden and Sean McWilliams are tied for fifth at 1-under.
Most Popular Articles
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced
Dec 5, 2025Second Stage is complete and Final Stage awaits at Sawgrass — follow every Q-School leaderboard and the players still chasing
2025 LPGA TOUR Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage FINAL SCORING
Dec 8, 2025Helen Briem earns medalist honors, 31 players headed to the LPGA next year
Australian Open at Royal Melbourne: Preview, amateur bios, and how to watch
Nov 30, 2025Rory McIlroy headlines one of the championship's top fields in years - at least four amateurs will have their chance at glory
Luke Ringkamp Cruises to Rolex Tournament of Champions Title at TPC San Antonio
Nov 26, 2025One week after committing to Pepperdine, Luke Ringkamp won the Rolex Tournament of Champions by nine shots.
Inside Gil Hanse’s Restoration of Baltusrol’s Upper Course: A Return to Tillinghast’s
Dec 11, 2025Renowned architect Gil Hanse reveals how he brought Baltusrol’s Upper Course back to life by honoring A.W. Tillinghast’s originalLoading latest news...