Pizzano takes the Savannah Quarters Invitational in playoff
Carlo Pizzano (WJCL photo)
Loyola (Maryland) sophomore Carlo Pizzano held off McClure Thompson in a playoff to win the 2nd annual Savannah Quarters Invitational at The Club at Savannah Quarters in Pooler, Ga.
Thompson was trying to become the second "McClure" of the weekend to win a big tournament. McClure Meissner took home the Southern Amateur Championship at Maridoe in a playoff, but Thompson could not quite match the feat.
Sharing a one-shot overnight lead, Thompson and Pizzano were paired together in the final round. Thompson posted an opening 2-under 70 and a 6-under 66 while Pizzano opened with a 66 and followed it up with a 70 of his own.
The pair had an eventful final 18. Pizzano took an early lead but fell behind by two with a double-bogey and a bogey on holes No. 8 and 9. Thompson was up and down, with three birdies and three bogeys to turn at even-par 36.
Both players elevated their games on the back nine, with Pizzano going four under and Thompson three under to put Thompson one shot up on the 18th tee at 11 under.
Perhaps feeling the pressure, Thompson came away with a bogey, and the two made their way back to the 18th tee, each having shot 2-under 70.
Both making pars on the first playoff hole (No. 18), Pizzano called 'game' on No. 1.
Playing aggressively, Pizzano nearly holed out from the fairway as his ball came to rest just inches from the pin. Thompson, needing a birdie to extend the match, could not do so, giving Pizzano the crown as the second winner of the SQI.
Alex Locke (68) and Sam Sikes (70) shared third at 8 under, two shots out of the playoff. Walker Jones (70), Alex Doss (69) and Owen Burt (71) tied for fifth at 7 under.
The shot of the tournament was struck by Blaise Vanitvelt, who aced the 314-yard par-4 11th hole in the final round en route to a 70.
Defending club champion and inaugural Savannah Quarters champ, Joey Kalbac, could not muster the same magic he had last year as he finished T-55 at 14-over-par.
Related: Savannah Quarters champ Kalbac hopes to put tourney on the map
ABOUT THE
NOTE: Tournament will not be held in 2022 but should
that change AG will post the new dates.
Started in 2019, the Savannah Quarters
Invitational is a 54-hole stroke play
championship drawing a national field. The host
venue was
designed by Greg Norman and managed by
Troon Golf. It was recently voted the “Best
Place to Play Golf
in Savannah” by Savannah Magazine. The
starting field of 120 will be
cut to the top 60 and ties for the Final Round of
play. WAGR and
Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Rankings Points will
be awarded.
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