AIKEN, SC (July 23, 2016) -- Trent Phillips closed out the Palmetto Amateur early Saturday afternoon with a final round 1-under 69 to finish 9-under and ahead of the rest of the field by three-strokes. Phillips, the winner of the South Carolina Junior earlier this season fired rounds of 67-68-67-69 throughout the week at Palmetto Golf Club.

"It is probably my biggest win, accomplishment so far," Phillips said. "My mindset at the beginning of the day was to keep plugging along and keep doing what I have been doing and to not put a lot of pressure on myself to shoot a certain number or anything like that."

For a while it looked as if Phillips might squander his 54-hole lead after starting 2-over through 13-holes to drop to 6-under, bringing the field back into the mix. The feeling of hope for the field didn't last long however as Phillips pulled away for good in a blink with birdies on Nos. 14-16 to move to 9-under. A par on the final hole sealed the deal.

The run of birdies was the result of some quality shots by Phillips. On the par-5 14th the Inman, SC resident hit his approach shot to two feet for his second birdie of the day, Phillips quickly followed that up with a tap in birdie on No. 15 thanks to a wedge shot to a foot. The run concluded on the 215 yard par-3; Phillips hit a safe 5-iron to 30-feet, setting up a dramatic final birdie of the round.

"I am really excited about the win," Phillips said. "I am hoping to come back next year because it is one of my favorite courses each year."

Auburn sophomore Trace Crowe made the biggest move on Saturday, shooting a 4-under 66 to finish 6-under and tied for second with Clemson recruit Doc Redman.

Crowe made his charge on the back nine with five birdies for a closing 5-under 31. On the flip side Redman couldn't get much going and he posted an even-par 72 with two birdies and two bogeys.

Spencer Ralston, Ryan Benton (Auburn) and Carson Young (Clemson) all finished tied for fourth at 4-under.

Despite a 9-under 61 in the second round, Jake McBride finished 3-under and tied for seventh.

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