Kyatt claims second career Alabama Mid-Amateur title
Victor Kyatt (Alabama Golf Association photo)
Victor Kyatt of Bessemer won his second Alabama State Mid-Amateur title on Sunday by edging long-time friend – and 2008 Mid-Amateur Champion – Woodie Eubanks on the first playoff hole at Pine Tree Country Club in Birmingham, Ala. Kyatt won the title in 2014 at Montgomery Country Club.
Playing in the group ahead and starting the day four shots back of the lead, Clay Guerin of Hoover, stood at 5 under for his round that propelled him to the top of the leaderboard for most of the back nine including a share of the lead standing on the 18th tee. However, an errant tee shot on the final hole led to a bogey that dropped him back to 5-under 211 and third place finish for the championship.
Eubanks, playing in the last group with Kyatt, rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole to tie Guerin and followed that with a three-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to take a one-shot lead playing the 18th hole. Kyatt also birdied the 17th hole to remain one shot back of Eubanks.
Kyatt, a member at tournament host Pine Tree Country Club, now needed a birdie on the final hole to catch Eubanks. Kyatt hit his approach to 50 feet while Eubanks almost holed his second shot that landed two inches from the hole and settled to 10 feet. Kyatt was first to play and holed his miraculous 50-foot birdie putt to tie Eubanks at 7-under 209. Eubanks now had to make his birdie putt to win but his effort just slid by the left edge forcing a playoff.
In the playoff, Eubanks’ tee shot plugged in the fairway bunker and he had to pitch out down the fairway. From the fairway, Kyatt hit his approach to 40 feet. Eubanks hit his third shot to 25 feet leaving a lengthy par putt. Kyatt was first to putt and snuggled his birdie effort to one foot. Eubanks missed his par putt leaving a tap in for Kyatt to win the championship.
Two-time defending champion Stewart Whitt of Athens posted a final round 75 to finish in a tie for 28th place at 9-over 225.
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ABOUT THE
Alabama Mid-Amateur
54 holes of gross individual stroke play. The field will
be
cut to the low 60 players and ties after 36 holes.
Entries are open to any male amateur golfer who is
a
legal resident of Alabama, has an active GHIN USGA
Handicap Index at an AGA
member club that does not exceed 8.4 and is 25
years
of age.
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