James Yoon
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — James Yoon won the 2015 St. Augustine Amateur Tournament in record-breaking fashion, carding a 3-over par 73 in a tough-scoring final round at St. Johns Golf Club to break the 54-hole tournament record by a stroke.
Yoon, a former University of California golfer who hails from Paraguay, led by two shots through 36 holes at 9-under par. He opened with 67, which trailed first-round leader Samuel Uhland by one, before going bogey-free on Saturday to fire 64. Then on Sunday, when not one participant shot under par, Yoon posted a solid 73 to finish at 6-under. The total broke Edward Richardson's winning record set just last year.
Sustained winds from 15-20 miles per hour, with gusts up to 35 contributed to the difficult final round conditions.
The 46-year-old Richardson, of England, did not return back in St. Augustine to defend his title.
Uhland, a true freshman at Jacksonville University, was one of many golfers who struggled to break 80 on Sunday. After first and second rounds of 66 and 67, Uhland made zero birdies and three double bogeys among a slew of other bogeys en route to an 82, which dropped him from second place back to a tie for seventh.
One of the most notable players in the field, recently graduated University of Louisville golfer Trevor Sluman, rebounded nicely from an opening-round 74 to post 67-71 over the weekend and grab the runner-up spot. Sluman, a native of Pittsford, N.Y. who won this year's New York State Amateur, had one of the lowest scores of the final round, with Ethan Wagner's 70 narrowly edging him.
University of North Florida sophomore Jordan Batchelor grabbed third place while Irishman Daniel Brennan moved up in to fourth place with a 73 on Sunday. Nicholas Torrance and Jake Carter rounded out the top-5, finishing the event at 4-over par 214.
The Mid-Amateur title was awarded to Greg Hamilton of Atlanta, Ga., who shot even-par 216, despite a final-round 77, and finished tied for 10th place overall.
ABOUT THE
St. Augustine Amateur
The St. Augustine Amateur is a national event
established in 2004 for top
amateur and collegiate players. The 54-hole
stroke
play, walking only,
competition is conducted over three days with
no
cut. The
player
caddies, walking referees, standard bearers and
forecaddies really add to the
experience. The field is
limited to 84 players whose golf resumes and
tournament experience have
earned them a spot in the field. The winner
receives
the John C. Jennison III
Trophy.
The tournament
is open to Amateurs only whose entry has been
accepted by the Tournament
Committee however there is an open qualifier
prior
to the event.
View Complete Tournament Information