Deraney wins Mississippi Amateur, earns PGA Tour start
- Mississippi Golf Association photo
Another state, another win for
Joseph Deraney.
The 36-year-old Deraney has moved from Tennessee to Kentucky to Mississippi in the last few years, picking up wins along the way. Now a resident of Belden, Deraney shot a 4-under 67 to finish at 13 under par and win the Mississippi State Amateur at Hattiesburg Country Club.
Deraney came into the day with a slim one-shot lead over Brice Wilkinson, but through six holes the lead had grown to five and Deraney was never seriously threatened again.
Wilkinson did rebound by going four under after the sixth hole, but that only got him to 10 under, three shots behind the winner in solo second.
Last year's champion Wilson Furr finished third at seven under after a final-round 67.
With the win, Deraney earns a spot in the PGA Tour Sanderson Farms event this fall, which will be his second PGA Tour appearance of the year. Two weeks ago, Deraney played in the Canadian Open, shooting 75-70 and missing the cut. He earned his spot in the field by winning the Canadian Mid-Amateur last fall.
ABOUT THE
Mississippi State Amateur
Format: The tournament is scheduled for 72 holes of
stroke play with a cut to the low 60(+ties) after 36
holes of play. Field size is limited to 120 players.
Qualifiers will be held for the State Amateur,
including an Open Qualifier, the week of the event.
Each is scheduled for 18 holes of stroke play. The
number of players to advance will be determined by
the number of entries for each qualifier and the
number available in the field after the exempt
players have reserved their place. The same
percentage from each qualifier will advance to the
championship.
Eligibility: The Amateur Championship is open to
male amateurs who are bona fide residents of the
state of Mississippi for at least 60 days prior to the
first round of the tournament. Participants must
conform with the USGA Rules of Amateur Status. All
participants in Mississippi Golf Association State
Championships are required to have an active GHIN
Handicap through a USGA Licensed Mississippi Club.
View Complete Tournament Information