Miles McConnell (Florida State Golf Association Photo)
Six months after the championship first began, Miles McConnell raised the trophy at the 62nd Senior Amateur Championship on Tuesday at Lago Mar Country Club in wire-to-wire fashion. The Tampa native used rounds of 71-68-69 to take home the six-shot victory at 8-under.
"This is the first Senior Amateur that I've been able to play, and I really wanted to win," McConnell said. "It was kind of an odd situation having the tournament being spread over six months, but we got it in with some beautiful weather for these two rounds. I'm really excited to get it done here this week."
This is the fourth FSGA championship for McConnell and his first Senior Amateur title.
With this victory, McConnell garners Senior Player of the Year honors for the third straight year. His championship total of 208 ties the lowest three-day total in Florida Senior Amateur history with Jim Carley, who carded an 8-under in 2011. His six-shot win is the largest margin of victory at the Senior Amateur since Gordon Marshall’s six-shot win in 2015.
"It was so windy this morning that I knew if I could make some pars early and see what happens," McConnell said.
McConnell began the final round with a three-shot lead over the field 5-under after rounds of 71-68 to open the championship.
The reigning Senior Player of the Year got off to a steady start playing the first eight holes at 1 under with a birdie on the fourth. His lone bogey on the came on the ninth hole, making the turn at even par.
"It was really a turning point on the 10th hole, I was able to hole out a wedge for eagle which really turned the day around," McConnell said.
He got it rolling on the final nine with an eagle on the par-5 10th hole, holing out from 78 yards. McConnell added another birdie on No. 13 to extend his lead to six shots. He played his final nine holes bogey-free and secured the victory with a final-round 69.
McConnell was the lone player in the field to post three under-par rounds for the championship.
"Anytime that you can get a Player of the Year honor in this state with, in my opinion, the best players in the country," McConnell said. "I get my name on this trophy with Mike McCoy, who won last year, and is one of the great amateurs. It's so humbling, and I'm just happy to earn this."
William Mallon used rounds of 70-70 after the resumption to earn a second-finish place at 2-under 214. Ryan Howison finished in third place at even-par 216, with rounds of 71-74-71. McConnell, Mallon, and Howison were the only three players in the field to post an under-par total.
After the first round of the Senior Amateur was completed in early April, a historic flash flood event occurred in the Fort Lauderdale area, causing play at the Senior Amateur Championship to be suspended for 187 days, with players making their way back in October to crown a champion.
ABOUT THE
Florida Senior Amateur
The Florida Senior Championship is for those individuals
over the age of 55. 54 holes of stroke play, with a
cut
to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes. Must be a Florida State Golf Assocation member
member.
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