State Am suspense
- Updated: June 11, 2022
Newton tops Johnson on second hole of playoff for title; LeCroy, Hughston both finish top 20
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
BESSEMER — Connor Newton of Auburn made birdie on the second hole of sudden death to defeat Max Johnson of Lillian and win the 106th Alabama State Amateur Saturday at Bent Brook Golf Course.
The two finalists both shot 67 in the final round to finish at 13-under-par 271 in regulation. They finished one shot clear of Brantley Scott of Dothan.
Newton birdied 17 and parred 18 to secure his spot in the playoffs. Johnson birdied 16 and 17 and parred 18.
“It feels really, really good to be champion,” Newton said. “I felt really good with my game and I kind of felt like I was going to win it the whole tournament.”
Both Calhoun County players who made the cut finished top 20.
Jacob LeCroy finished T-17 (279) after a final round 72 and Harrison Hughston finished T-19 (280) after a bogey-free 68.
Hughston made birdies on 2, 4 and 15. The ones of 2 and 15 were chip-ins, 2 coming from just off the green and 15 from 100 feet over a false front.
He played his final 29 holes of the tournament in 5-under-par and without a bogey. It was the cleanest closing run of any player in the top 20. There were only three bogey-free rounds among 66 players Saturday.
“It’s super satisfying to go out there and top off with a good round, my best round,” he said. “It’s always to go out there and make no bogeys.
“Today I did a good job of taking the right club, good line, good numbers. I finally was able to move my way around the course and not get in any real trouble.”
LeCroy was hoping for that one break-out round Saturday, but it just didn’t happen. He birdied the first hole, but turned in even par and remained even for the day until bogeying 18.
“It just wasn’t my day,” he said. “I was grinding all day, just couldn’t get anything going. I hit it very well, but the putter wasn’t cooperating.”
106th Alabama State Am
| At Bent Brook GC (par 71) | |||||
| Final leaderboard | |||||
| x-Connor Newton, Auburn | 67 | 69 | 68 | 67 | 271 |
| Max Johnson, Lillian | 66 | 70 | 68 | 67 | 271 |
| Brantley Scott, Dothan | 70 | 65 | 69 | 68 | 272 |
| Ryan Eshleman, Vestavia Hills | 73 | 68 | 65 | 67 | 273 |
| Ford Clegg, Birmingham | 74 | 63 | 69 | 67 | 273 |
| Jack Goldasich, Birmingham | 71 | 64 | 71 | 67 | 273 |
| T-17 Jacob LeCroy | 71 | 68 | 68 | 72 | 279 |
| T-19 Harrison Hughston | 71 | 70 | 71 | 68 | 280 |
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