Maxwell Moldovan wins Southern Am in record-setting fashion
Courtesy of Southern Amateur
Maxwell Moldovan proved to be a worthy front runner on Saturday in winning the Southern Amateur at Old Waverly Golf Club in record-setting fashion.
Moldovan, who took a two-stroke lead into Saturday’s final round, fired a 4-under 67 to finish 20-under 264, which was good for a five-stroke victory over
Bryce Lewis. Moldovan’s 20-under par score also shattered the previous Southern Amateur scoring record previously held by Justin Leonard, who finished at 270 in 1993.
“I haven’t won a major golf tournament in just over two years now,” Moldovan told the Southern Golf Association. “To put myself in a position to do that this week and to play the way I played yesterday and today, it feels incredible.”
Moldovan, who held or shared the lead after three of the four rounds, turned Old Waverly into his own personal playground this week. Sitting on a two-stroke lead heading into the final round, Moldovan knew he had to keep his foot on the accelerator with Old Waverly seemingly there for the taking. He extended his lead with three birdies on the front nine and added another coming home for a five-stroke victory.
Moldovan made just five bogeys all week and his last two rounds of 65 and 67 were bogey-free.
The 2019 AJGA Player of the Year, the Ohio State sophomore has been ranked as high as No. 33 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. In eight starts with the Buckeyes last season, Moldovan posted a 71.5 stroke average, which was the best on the team. He also recorded three top-10 finishes, including a runner-up finish at the prestigious Valspar Collegiate.
Lewis, who plays collegiately at Tennessee, shot a final round 66 to earn a solo second. Reigning Australian Amateur champion
Connor McKinney and
Garrett Barber of LSU tied for third at 14-under 270.
The low round of the tournament was turned in by
Matthew Sharpstene, who fired a 9-under 62 on Saturday to join a large pack tied for ninth at 12-under par. Sharpstene, who plays collegiately at the University of Charlotte, had seven birdies and an eagle on his Saturday card.
ABOUT THE
Southern Amateur
The Southern Amateur, which dates back to 1902, is
one of two competitions held by the Southern Golf
Association (the other is the Southern Junior). This
is a 72-hole stroke play championship with a cut
made after 36 holes. Entries are open to any male
amateur golfer who has a current USGA Handicap
Index® not exceeding 3.4 under the USGA Handicap
System. Non-exempt players must pre-qualify at
one of the qualifying sites held across the southern
U.S. in the two months leading up to the
championship.
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