About
Kraft completed a successful summer by
claiming the biggest prize in American
amateur golf, defeating Patrick Cantlay, 2
up, in the 36-hole championship match
for the 111th U.S. Amateur Championship
at Erin Hills. Cantlay came into the event
as the No. 1-ranked amateur, according
to the World Amateur Golf Ranking
supported by the USGA and The R&A.
He also became the third Southern
Methodist golfer to win the Amateur in
the last 13 years, joining Colt Knost
(2007) and Hank Kuehne (1998).
En route to the final, Kraft eliminated
2011 USA Walker Cup member Patrick
Rodgers in the quarterfinals, 6 and 5.
Earlier that day, he survived a 23-hole
marathon against Blake Biddle, the
longest match at the Amateur in 11
years. In the semifinals, he beat Great
Britain and Ireland Walker Cup member
Jack Senior of England, 3 and 2.
Prior to the Amateur, Kraft collected
victories at the Trans-Mississippi
Championship and the Texas Amateur
Championship. He had previously won the
Texas Amateur in 2008.
Kraft was also the runner-up at the 2010
North & South Amateur, losing in the
finals to Donald Constable.
While at Southern Methodist University,
Kraft earned first-team All-Conference
USA honors in 2009, 2010 and 2011. He
was also named an honorable-mention
All-American in 2011, following seven top-
five finishes during his senior season.
Although he has completed his golf
eligibility at SMU, Kraft said he plans to
remain in school and finish his sociology
degree.