Golfweek Senior Amateur winner Michael Wharton-Palmer
(Photo Courtesy of Golfweek's Ron Gaines)
LA QUINTA, CA (April 8, 2017) -- Michael Wharton-Palmer had a day to remember on Saturday at the Golfweek Senior Amateur. Beginning the final round at the PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course one off the pace Wharton-Palmer shot a closing 2-under 70 to finish 4-under and ultimately win by five shots.
Wharton-Palmer birdied twice and bogeyed twice on the front nine to turn in even-par and then he started the back nine with six consecutive pars. However, as the rest of the field moved backwards, Wharton-Palmer closed with a bang, rolling in 16th and 18th hole birdies to put a capper on his title.
Defending champion Jeff Burda began the day in the lead before struggling on Saturday to a 4-over 76 and a tied second showing with Jim Starnes at 1-over.
Steve Hudson was 3-over and in fourth while Allen Barber placed fifth at 4-over.
In the Super Senior Division Kemp Richardson emerged as the victor by one shot with a 3-over tournament. The winning birdie came on No. 8, his 17th of the day and it helped offset a bogey on the ensuing hole.
Gary Kirwan and Dennis Helms shared second at 4-over.
The Legends Division was controlled all week by George Washburn and on the final day he closed out his 10 shot triumph. Washburn completed his week 5-under.
John Walker was a distant second at 5-over while Frank Abbott and Skip Snow shared third at 8-over.
ROUND TWO RECAP
Defending champion Jeff Burda has taken the lead at the Golfweek Senior Amateur hosted by the PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course.
Burda, 3-under, moved into the lead with 2-under 70 and he will carry a one shot lead into the final round.
Burda carded six birdies and three bogeys during his round. The birdies for Burda came on Nos. 2, 4, 7, 8, 11 and 16.
Michael Wharton-Palmer is 2-under in second, James Starnes is 1-under in third while Scott Smith and Dave Steingart share fourth at 1-over.
In the Super Senior Division Dennis Helms is 2-under and the leader by three and in the Legends Division it is George Washburn running away with things at 9-under.
Washburn is ahead by eight following rounds of 68-67
ROUND ONE RECAP
David Pocknall, a force in the state of Texas, opened the Golfweek Senior Amateur with a 3-under 69 and he is the leading by one shot. Playing at the PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course, just eight players were able to turn in sub-par rounds on Thursday.
Pocknall found his grove right off the bat with a birdie on No. 1, the first of his five against two bogeys on the day. The additional birdies came on the 7th, 9th, 12th and 16th holes.
In 2014 Picknall finished second in the Golfweek Senior Amateur and also won the Texas South Regional Mid-Amateur three-times since 2008.
Herb Fisher and Dave Steingart are tied for second at 2-under while Scott Smith, Steve Hudson, defending champion Jeff Burda, John Pate and Christopher Veitch are sharing fourth at 1-under.
In the Super Senior Division Peter Van Ingen used a 3-under 69 to grab a one-stroke lead. Van Ingen birdied two of his first three holes and six overall, while also bogeying three-times.
Jim Rollefson is in second at 2-under, Gary Kirwan and Rich Tolly are teid for third at 1-under while three others are sharing fifth at even-par.
The low round of the day came from Legends Division leader George Washburn. On Thursday Washburn tallied a 4-under 68 and he will lead Bruce Richards (-3) by a stroke.
During the first round Washburn poured in five birdies and just a lone bogey.
Walt Martin, Frank Abbott and Ken Knott are sharing third at 1-under.
ABOUT THE Golfweek Senior Amateur
Golfweek Senior Amateur is a premier event
for Seniors (55+), Super Seniors (65+), Legends (70+)
and Super Legends (75+)
with a handicap index or 8 or less.
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