Niebrugge wins Western Am
ROLAND, Ark. (Aug. 5, 2013) -- When you're hot, you're hot. And Jordan Niebrugge is the hottest player in amateur golf.
Winner of the U.S. Public Links Championship and the Wisconsin State Amateur, Niebruuge won his third tournament in as many weeks. And the Western Amateur, which Niebrugge took by way of a 3-and-2 victory over Sean Dale in the championship match, is the biggest one yet.
After rain delayed the completion of the championship match late Sunday afternoon, the Oklahoma State junior won Nos. 9, 10 and 11 when play resumed Monday morning. He held off Dale, the recent University of North Florida graduate, through the final five holes for one of the most prestigious titles in amateur golf.
The final match was particularly interesting considering its Walker Cup implications.
Dale was under consideration earlier this year thanks to his victory at the Jones Cup. He was invited to the January practice held by the USGA. Despite a quiet season, Dale likely played his way back into the conversation with his performance at the Western, which included a first-round defeat of medalist and two-time Walker Cup pick Patrick Rodgers.
Niebrugge, meanwhile, all but locked up his spot. With his unbelieveable play over the last three weeks, Niebrugge proved he can win in a number of formats and will head to the U.S. Amateur as one of the contenders.
For full match play results, use the link below.
ABOUT THE
Western Amateur
Invitational event, and the most important
tournament in American amateur golf outside of the
U.S. Amateur. With a grueling schedule, it's quite
possibly the
hardest amateur tournament to win.
156 invited players come from across the
globe to play one of the toughest formats in
amateur golf. The tournament starts with 18
holes of stroke play on Tuesday and
Wednesday after which the field is cut to the
low 44 scores and ties. Thursday it's a long
day of 36 holes of stroke play to determine
the “Sweet Sixteen” who compete at Match
Play on Friday and Saturday (two matches
each day if you're going to the finals) to
decide the champion.
View Complete Tournament Information